Kilchoman Sanaig
46% ABV
$70 – $75
Website
What the Distillery Says
Sanaig, named after an inlet on Islay’s rugged Atlantic cost, is a vatting of Kilchoman matured in both sherry and bourbon barrels. This sherry cask scotch whisky is matured in a high proportion of oloroso barrels (70%), imparting a balance of dried fruits, dark chocolate and rich peat smoke into the spirit.
CASK TYPE: BOURBON & SHERRY
PEAT LEVEL: 50 PARTS PER MILLION
NOSE: Fragrant heather, raisins, pear and orange peel with waves of stoned fruits, mixed spices and rich peat smoke
PALATE: Over ripe plums, red cherries and hints of citrus give way to rich barbeque peat smoke, toffee, oak and dark chocolate
FINISH: Mouth-coating mixed fruit, caramel, cinnamon and clove with layers of brown sugar, spices, peat smoke and lasting sweetness
What Gary Says
Nose: Peaty with dark fruit notes, raisins, a bit of sherry, lemon meringue, a hint of bbq sauce, smoked meat and fresh hay.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel at the start, tart cherries, raisins, lemon custard, vanilla, honey, sharpening with some pepper spice.
Finish: Moderately long with vanilla and peat smoke trailing.
Comments: This was my favorite of the three Kilchoman whiskies included in the Flaviar tasting box. More fruit notes, more depth – still plenty of peat and smoke but they’re not hogging the spotlight. I would really love to try this with more age.