Kilchoman Loch Gorm (2021 Edition)

Nose: This is unmistakably Islay: vegetables cooked over a peat fire, then simmered in saltwater brine. (I don't know why you'd roast and then boil.) Then a jumbled rush of notes appears: red fruit and red wine, vanilla, graham cracker, berries, lemon, honey, tea, sugar cookie, mango, citrus... It continues indefinitely. Bread notes emerge later. The peat is distinctly Islay, with a character somewhere between Lagavulin and Bruichladdich. It's always present but remains earthy, fragrant, and refined. Palate: Rich, robust, well-balanced. Classic vanilla and caramel notes, lemon cake, honey, floral hints. More cooked vegetables and peat, just a touch of sea spray. Earthy, piney, slightly mineral. Oily and a bit salty. Towards the end of the palate, red fruit notes sit atop a rich fudge-like base - it's not quite chocolate, more like a hazelnut-vanilla-chocolate fudge. Finish is delicate and somewhat short. Lemon, honey, sweetened white tea. Only a hint of cinnamon spice heat - just enough to notice. It concludes as it began with a classic scotch caramel. I purchased this at the same time as the PX Sherry limited edition. I thought both were excellent, so I quickly bought a USA Small Batch. That was also excellent - likely the best of the group. Then I found the last Machir Bay gift set (which came with two rocks glasses - very nice!) during a random Costco trip. That was also excellent. I appreciate the peat character of this distillery - it's earthy and perfumed like Lagavulin, but less intense with more of the delicate floral notes/characteristics you find in something like the Port Charlotte 10 year. I enjoy both of those profiles - this is a fine combination of both. This is my new favorite distillery for Islay scotch. Four successful purchases out of four; additionally, they seem to excel at extracting more from their barrels, as each of those four expressions is notably different. I'm eager to try anything they release. Loch Gorm seems like the most traditional Islay of the ones I've mentioned. It's a great starting point, but I find myself preferring the sherry-aged bottles. That said, this is still an exceptional scotch, and I'd recommend picking up a bottle if you see one - they are somewhat limited (but, as far as I can tell, not subject to secondary market pricing).

Review #003 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: aged 9 Years, ex-oloroso maturation Tasted after: Kilchoman Sanaig Appearance (no score): Mahogany hue. Swirling shows a viscous line clinging to the glass, beads up rapidly but legs form slowly. Nose: 15/20 Smoky, leathery, with sweet, syrupy raisins and just a whisper of vanilla. Palate: 34/40 Smoky, briny, black tea, red currants, with a touch of orange zest. Finish: 33/40 A satisfyingly long finish, introducing some pepper and making the mouth water as the sweet and spicy notes linger, concluding with a salty touch. With Water: Did not sample with water, unfortunately. Total: 82/100 Final thoughts: Satisfying, a very good pour, but for the cost, I had hoped for a more striking experience. Price: $120 Would recommend: yes Would buy: possibly Scoring Legend: 96-100: The ultimate dram, truly exceptional, divine, I will cherish this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Almost perfect, possesses something genuinely special, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to outstanding, nearly flawless, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite enjoyable, a pleasant drink, but not mind-blowing, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately has flaws, unlikely to repurchase, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid pour, but wouldn't seek it out, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or disposal, 2.5 stars or less.

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual Whisky Tasting, 09 April 2021). Nose: Peaty, smoky, with notes of rye bread, lemon drizzle, and dark spices. Faint hints of ash/burned wood. Palate: Flavors of wood/roasted nuts, dark chocolate, cloves & allspice. A subtle background note of dried fruit (dates & figs). Finish: Ash/wood. Damp smoke, dry sherry, tobacco/liquorice/leather. A slight sourness in the aftertaste. Well-balanced between damp wood and peat smoke, and dried dark fruits. Numerous pleasant dry notes with a cigar smoke finish. Delightful creamy texture. A fine dram. Matured in 24 Oloroso sherry butts from 2011 & 2012 1 of 17,000 bottles 50ppm Ranked 1st out of the six samples, securing 38% of the vote for the evening's favorite. 88% of attendees indicated they enjoyed the whisky.

Fantastic! The highlight of our evening at L'Ile Noire. This distillery knows how to create enjoyable and distinctive products. It smells of smoke, dates, and raisins. Upon tasting, you immediately notice a blend of vanilla, salty smoke, and lemon. It has a rather long finish. A well-balanced scotch that makes you want to buy a bottle! Tasted at L'Ile Noire in 2023-03.

Nose: gentle caramel, slightly smoky, a bit of fig or apricot, vanilla. Palate: smoky, peaty, dried fruits, pepper. Finish: a little fudge-like, long finish, peppery spices and the smokiness lingers for a long time. Pairs well with dark Peruvian chocolate at 64% cacao.

Nose: Caramel, dried fruits (fig, apricot), vanilla, smoke Palate: Moderately oily, fudge, vanilla, wood, smoke Finish: Pepper, caramel, peat, quite long A good pairing with Eddy Laurent grand cru noir Peru 64%.