Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 57.8%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry Oloroso
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Kilchoman
Average price: € 80.00
Official website: kilchomandistillery.com
Sanaig and Machir Bay are Kilchoman’s two mainstays, and while the ‘rich’ ex-bourbon cask version has earned the honour of occasional cask strength releases, the Sanaig brother has always remained in its classic iteration, albeit replicated in slightly different batches.
In 2021, on the occasion of the ‘virtual’ Fèis Ìle at the height of the pandemic, the distillery created a series of samples called DNA, in which it presented different versions of its classics: alongside 100% Islay, Loch Gorm and Machir Bay was a Sanaig Cask Strength (tasted by our Felice), an edition made exclusively for this tasting and never released.
Until today.
At the beginning of November 2024, the (limited) bottled version was finally released, with the usual 70% presence of former Oloroso sherry casks (between finishing and full maturation), picking up the spirit of the ‘dark batches’ of the standard edition, when particularly colour charged casks had made some of Sanaig’s first batches darker than usual, leading to a surge in sales. Since then, what was a fluke has become a habit, replicated in this limited edition Sanaig Cask Strength.
Tasting Notes
The nose is just above the barbecue, bacon and ribs sizzling on the blazing wood, covered in a rich balsamic glaze. The palate is blackberry, black cherry and plum jam, wild berry chocolate, coffee praline, tamarind syrup, spices (cinnamon and nutmeg), with a slight sulphurous undertone. Full-bodied and decadent.
In the mouth, the entry is bold and spicy, with an explosive mix of black pepper, chilli, nutmeg and aniseed, anticipating a palate of dark pastry, chocolate, red fruit (sour cherries, plums, blackberries), sweet liquorice, blood orange juice, pink grapefruit and carob. Fleshy and iodised smoke that envelops the flavours like Linus’ blanket. The addition of water accentuates the marine aspect, bringing sulphurous notes to the surface.
The long finish is coastal and full, with a tingle of spices that accompany red fruits and citrus, liquorice, chocolate, coffee and a vegetal, sulphurous vein.
This is closer to a Loch Gorm on steroids than the original, which could be seen as either a distortion of the classic Sanaig or a liberation of its nature. A matter of opinion, mine appreciates the fullness of a slightly rambunctious but sincere dram.
Vote: 87/100