Origin: Isle of slay (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
After what was a special edition for the 20th anniversary in 2025, the 2026 release features Kilchoman’s bottling fully in ex-sherry casks, returning in a declared age of ten years.
With its name taken from the nearby lake, this Loch Gorm always undergoes ageing in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks from the José y Miguel Martín bodega, using a blend of French and Spanish wood, in a ratio of twenty first-fill casks and three second-fill casks, just like the previous year.
This reiteration of the stated age confirms what has now become an established trend at Kilchoman, namely the move towards longer maturation periods, having acquired a sufficient “cask park” in their warehouses. Shorter aging has always been somewhat of a strength for the distillery, especially for maturation entirely in ex-sherry casks, but owner Anthony Wills considers ten years to be almost perfect for the development of the spirit. And if he says so…
Tasting Notes
The nose is in line with the 2025 edition, finding more or less the same notes expressed between salty sweetness and umami, perhaps just with a bit more of a barbecue component, like lacquered ribs. Teriyaki sauce, red fruits (blackberries, dried plums), sweet licorice, spices, panforte, brininess, and brine. The smoke imbues the aromas but is not the star, enhancing their remarkable richness.
Sweet paprika, black pepper, and cloves rekindle the palate‘s richness reminiscent of the aroma, with a more robust and dynamic peat, where smoke dances among the flavors always aiming to support rather than overpower. Dark tones persist, straddling the line between sweet and salty (more salty than on the nose), with subtle vegetal and metallic notes lingering in the background, while red fruits, nuts, licorice, bitter orange marmalade, cocoa, coffee liqueur, and Kalamata olives lead the tasting experience. Bittersweet hints linger, with touches of gentian, anise, and rhubarb.
Finale quite long and sticky, of burnt wood, citrus, cloves, red fruits, licorice, bitter notes, and sea salt.
Review: In the inevitable comparison with the previous edition, I admit it engaged me a bit more; the flavors seem more focused and coherent, with a truly impressive oiliness. I can’t fault Wills; we are close to the apotheosis of peat and sherry.
Vote: 88/100