Kilchoman Sanaig (2020 Edition)

N: Deep red fruit drying on a line over a mossy peat fire. Cherry and peach muddled with caramel and vanilla - it's like the Oloroso and bourbon barrels are talking to each other. The peat smoke is floral and herbal with a perfume quality - I've loved it in every Kilchoman I've had. P: Herbal, bitter, and spicy. Then the cherry hits: first fresh, then dried, then cough syrup. White tea with lemon, vanilla, and a dash of cracked black pepper. Some peach, some pear, and spruce tips. Finish lands early and hits hard. Hot baking spice with a notable allspice sitting on a bed of caramel. Still more herbal bitterness with just a dash of green grain taste (unfortunately). Closes with cooked veggies coated with crushed rainbow pepper. Lots of power and unique, interesting flavors in this. Unfortunately, they're not all pleasant and don't all mesh well together. I still really enjoyed this and will eventually do it again, but I think that's a totally subjective thing and I would have a hard time recommending this to most people. As to the Kilchoman line, the Loch Gorm is a better overall whisky and the Machir Bay is an easier entry level. The special releases (PX Sherry, USA small batch) I've tried are richer and more robust, but take less risks and are more traditional as a result. There's just something about this, for me. It's kinda like an ugly dog that becomes more lovable for its snaggletooth and lazy eye. _______ Please come join a lively new spirits related discussion happening in real time amongst a bunch of regular Distiller reviewers: https://discord.gg/crpksjtkMu.

Review #002 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: NAS, ex-bourbon & ex-oloroso Tasted after: Kilchoman Machir Bay Appearance (no score): Brown sherry color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 14/20 Mostly smokey barbecue, I can actually smell the tomatoes and garlic, also molasses and little bit of orange peel. Palate: 34/40 Smokey, briny, ripe sweet plumps, and black pepper. Finish: 32/40 Medium long finish, introduces some lemon and dark baking cocoa. With Water: A drop of water elevates the salt flavor and washes out the elements that make this great. Total: 80/100 Final thoughts: Overall a very nice bottle for the price, sufficiently interesting and definitely one I’ll look to replace once gone. Price: $75 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Loads of peat smoke fills the nose, mixed with juicy sweet berry notes and honeyed cereals. Smoke dominates the palate initially, but gives way to sweet heat in the form of jammy stewed red plums, pluots, cherries, and figs along with intense chai-like spices of cracked pepper, cinnamon, and star anise. Upon swallowing, the smoke comes to the fore again with a cool ashiness, and everything balances beautifully. In the mouth, the body is full and plush. Coating the glass like a satin sheet, it clings long and strong before collecting droplets into a tight ring that suddenly weeps tears joyously to the liquid’s surface, eventually leaving behind two even bands of mist. It finishes semidry with mild oak tannins resembling lightly sweetened bitter pecans toasted over a smoldering fire along with a dash of orange zest. The sooty peat lingers on and on, soft and satisfying. Nose: 9 Taste: 10 Body: 9 Finish: 9

This one is not meant for beginners or occasional drinkers. It requires patience too. The first impression was shockingly alcoholic and spicy, with huge bold peat smoke and green notes. However, as time goes by, the harmonic symphony between bourbon barrels and sherry casks starts to show in both the smell and taste, along with the medicinal peat smoke of course. Although young and perhaps lacking some careful vatting (hence the alcoholic debut), I still think it's worth the price. As a core range malt, Kilchoman is clearly establishing a unique Islay experience here. Score went up from 3.75 to 4.

SBS with Klichoman Sanaig, Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Matured, Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish Nose Sanaig: more of the K peat PX: similar to Sanaig, but feels less Sauternes: definitely sweeter Body Sanaig: medium light body, PX: more mild and approachable, sherry isn’t that strong (if at all) from Sanaig Sauternes: more viscous, less sweetness that the nose suggests, little less peat vs Sanaig Finish Sanaig: no burn, medium long, plain PX: little burn, medium long Sauternes: little burn, feels short Verdict Sanaig 8/10 PX 8/10 Sauternes 8.5/10

Nose: Frazzles crisps, BBQ pork, toffee, damp peat, white pepper Palate: Bacon, damp peat, black pepper, dusty, black tea, light orchard/stone fruit, light summer berries Finish: Long finish. More of the damp peat, leather, cocoa and a light saltiness This changes through the layers as you sip - berries, chocolate, leather and pepper, all with the peaty backbone. There's loads going on in this dram. Interesting, layered and tasty. A good dram overall.