Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Sherry Oloroso
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Kilchoman
Average price: € 90.00
Official website: kilchomandistillery.com
Vote: 88/100
The most recent version of the annual bottling entirely in ex-sherry casks, the result of combining twenty-two casks with distillates from 2013 (eight casks), 2014 (six casks) and 2015 (eight casks), resulting in 18,000 bottles.
The name pays homage to the lake of the same name in the vicinity of the distillery, the waters of which I remind you are not those used in whisky making due to their very peated nature, and the barley at the base of the distillate is that purchased from Port Ellen, thus with a peatiness of around 45ppm.
Tasting notes
On the nose, the marriage of peat and sherry proves to be one of the most successful: a tame, dark sweetness of red fruits (blueberries, gooseberries, sultanas), blood orange, roasted cashews, leather and burnt brushwood. A vein suspended between land and sea runs through the aromas, of damp earth washed by ocean water, while with time the citrus and coastal notes grow and a slight hint of honey appears, with the acrid smoke of peat acting as a frame.
On the palate, it confirms its all in all gentle nature (as far as the peat allows!), becoming sweeter and softer than on the nose with spicy accents (ginger, paprika, cinnamon) evident but not invasive and a pleasant oiliness. The fruit opens up to nectarine and pineapple inflections that add to the red and citrus fruit, lying on a rather accentuated blanket of embers and ash. Salted caramel, nuts, a dusting of cocoa and much, much salt complete the picture, lively but without excess.
The finish is long and ashy, with brushstrokes of spices on fruit (peach, red fruit, orange), salted caramel and salt (in crescendo).
Loch Gorm confirms itself as the most representative expression of how Kilchoman’s distillate compliments ageing in ex-sherry casks, a balance that borders on perfection while lacking (to be nitpicky) a certain depth that would send it into the empyrean of excellence.