As you may have gathered, I recently added my first (I know) @Kilchoman to my expanding whisky collection – just in time for #KilchomanDay!
I’m slowly but surely navigating my way through, and discovering what Islay has to offer.
As Islay’s newest distillery, founded in 2005, Kilchoman was the first to be built on the western island in over 124 years! Did you know that this family run business is also Scotland’s only Single Farm Single Malt producer?
Named after a rocky and rugged inlet, located north-west of the distillery, the Sanaig expression is matured in both ex-bourbon casks and oloroso Hogsheads and bottled at 46%.
APPEARANCE: an inviting deep, warm, golden amber.
NOSE: a harmonious balance of orchard fruits and Islay peat! I’m ready to start preparing the dough for a traditional apple pie with the comforting aromas of stewing apples, brown sugar and a sprinkle of warming spices. A suggestion of peat smoke reveals itself drizzled with a generous coating of luxurious heather honey, and a tropical bouquet of fresh pineapple, pears, salted caramel, and yeast with earthy undertones.
PALATE: the oily mouthfeel is accompanied by a peppery oaky heat, and Sichuan peppercorn buzz. The palate is quite complex; notes of treacle, toffee, and pitted orchard fruits are coated with rich dark chocolate, and a pinch of coarse sea salt. There is a respectable amount of peat here, with a hickory-like nuance, alongside dark and juicy Okanagan cherries – these aromas are reminiscent of a weekend at the vineyards, during BC’s infamous forest fire season. The prolonged finish has a drying sensation on the palate, with notes of caramel, soot, cloves, demerara and malt.
I’m really quite impressed with this offering and can’t wait to end my #ThirstyThursday, with another dram, later!
PS. it pairs amazingly well with @Starbucks Cinnamon Coffee Cake.
Sláinte Mhath, friends! 🥃
Maid of the Malt 