Kilchoman Loch Gorm (2017 Edition)

Nose: An immediate, assertive blast of sooty lemon/orange that commands attention. Not aggressive, but resolute. It evokes the scent of wet sand and mud from a windswept seaside field, with an oily, citrus-tinged smoke carried on the breeze. Abundant brine and peaty aromas are present. This particular bottling is not gentle; it's quite sharp and bracing, reminiscent of a blustery, cold morning. How invigorating! Adding water beautifully opens up the nose, but avoid overdoing it, as a few drops are sufficient to mellow it without losing its character. Palate: A briny and spicy arrival reminiscent of dark Jaffa cakes and chocolate, with notes of bitter citrus fruits, green olives, dried muscat grapes, ash, and smoke. The flavor develops into sweetness throughout the palate, while maintaining a salty, umami foundation. With water, the sweetness intensifies, as does the spiciness, creating a perfect equilibrium. Hints of cloves and a touch of cinnamon linger in the background, and the texture is superb. Finish: Extended. Lemon peel and smoky, earthy, phenolic characteristics gradually fade, much like the dying embers of a beach barbecue the morning after. Water enhances both the sweetness and the smoke. In my estimation, this is the finest Loch Gorm to date. It incorporates elements from all previous releases, presented in harmony. This would be a prime candidate for a collection, if one were inclined... but rather, simply enjoy it. I've assigned this bottling a score just one percentage point below the current Sanaig. Historically, I've often found Kilchoman whiskies to be too young and unrefined for true enjoyment, but this perception has been evolving for some time. This expression and Sanaig represent the current peaks for me, and I anticipate that the entire range will receive significant acclaim in the coming years. I predict that 12-14 years will be the ideal maturation period for this distillate. Recommended. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars)

Appearance: It had a honey/amber hue with legs that were thin and quite syrupy. Nose: Initially, the aroma presented strong scents of peat, ocean weed, and saltiness. As it sat, more delicate hints of honey and floral notes emerged. Palate: The taste was delightful and truly distinct. I first detected flavors of salt, assorted spices, and even cooked broccoli. Yet, with a bit of waiting, sweeter notes of lemon and snickerdoodle cookies appeared after several minutes. Finish: The conclusion was extended, persistent, and warming. Overall: Incredible. I sampled this pour as an unexpected addition at a Whisky Ambassador course locally in Denver and was thoroughly impressed. I thoroughly enjoyed this Scotch! Would I purchase it again? Absolutely! Would I suggest it? Without a doubt. Keep up the excellent craftsmanship, Kilchoman! Cheers!

Still catching up on 2018 Feis Ile updates and going through my Kilchoman notes. Sanaig and Loch Gorm are two Kilchoman expressions with notable sherry influence, and the differences between them were definitely slight. Loch Gorm offers a dry, chalky scent like a medicine tablet, which hides a sweet, malty, and sherry-forward taste. Loch Gorm is one of the less smoky Kilchomans, though wisps of smoke appear in the mid-palate and through the finish, which also has a slightly grassy and fruity character. It lacks enough assertive smokiness for my personal preference, but it's still enjoyable. Sanaig provides a similar experience and is considerably less expensive, making it my preferred choice, but either would be a fine selection.

Allow me to quote a legendary artist of our time, B-Real: here is something you can't comprehend, how I could just Kilchoman. Sultana on the nose, with salt and seaweed on the palate. It's a satisfactory whisky to drink, and an even better remedy for swollen gums. Cheers!

I adored this. Exceptionally well-crafted, harmonizing peat smoke with sweet notes. Its complexity is astounding, truly a symphony. Undoubtedly one of the superior Kilchoman releases, which is significant praise.

Extremely peaty and ashy on the nose and also potent in the mouth. Fire, ash, and a long finish that lingers.