The annual ‘Loch Gorm’ from Kilchoman Distillery has once again been released! And Kilchoman has kindly sent me a sample to try. (Thanks kilchomandistillery.com / @Kilchomanwhisky!)
Named after Islay’s largest freshwater loch neighbouring the distillery, Loch Gorm is their only annual limited edition matured entirely in oloroso sherry casks!
The 2022 edition was matured in oloroso sherry butts previously used by Bodega José y Miguel Martín for a minimum of eight years. The 22 casks selected are a combination of 20 fresh and 2 refill casks. (To find out more see my blog post on the release announcement)
So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …
Tasting Notes – Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2022 – Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (46%)
Nose: Inviting, sweet, peaty smoke hits me straight away – very stimulating to the taste buds! There’s also crisp, green apples with an added citrus zest, plus toffee and a little woodiness.
Palate: Mmm … liquid, fruity smoke with rich dark chocolate mixed in for good measure! The tastiness continues with liquorice, slight blackcurrant and a little citrus. Finish: Warming, gentle spice, toffee with some tobacco dryness and a slightly antiseptic edge. Overall: A Fantastic dram and a great dram to round an evening off. Come to think of it … it’s a great dram to begin the evening with and to continue the evening with as well! |
Once again, many thanks to kilchomandistillery.com (@Kilchomanwhisky) for sending me the sample!
Kilchoman is available to buy from these Merchants:-
About Kilchoman
Kilchoman Distillery is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Anthony and wife Kathy have been joined by their three sons; George, James and Peter.
Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this.
Since the first bottling was released in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:
– The IWSC 2022 competition – Machir Bay scored 98 points and was awarded ‘Gold Outstanding’. 100% Islay was also awarded a “Gold Award’ and scored 95 points.
– The International Spirits Challenge 2022 – Machir Bay and Sanaig were both awarded Gold Medals.
– Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
– In 2016 both core expressions won major awards with Sanaig named Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky – no age statement at the IWSC and Machir Bay came first as Best Islay Single Malt Scotch in the International Whisky Competition.
– Machir Bay was also awarded a Gold Medal in 2015 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) with Loch Gorm being awarded a Silver Outstanding Medal and 100% Islay a Silver at the prestigious awards.
– Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.
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