A handsome release from Islay's newest distillery, Kilchoman Sanaig is an enjoyably peaty single malt which has been vatted from both bourbon and sherry casks. It's named after a small, rocky creek rather near the distillery on the west coast of the island. Look out for plenty of fruit and earthy peat coming through on this one, with a touch of dark chocolate-covered raisins.
Pineapple chunks and white grapes. Hints of fresh coffee carry the earthy, subtly spicy peat. Toffee cubes.
More light fruits (this time of the peach variety), with dark chocolate raisins and a whisper of red berries. Peat grows and grows, with a little black pepper too.
Quite long with coastal peat lasting.
Sanaig is a sherry expression released by Kilchoman. I suggest to get it together with a bottle of Machir Bay, which is actually the counterpart of Sanaig (in the sense that whereas Sanaig is a sherry expression, Machir Bay is more on the "bourbon side"). Both are lovely, and it's really nice to switch between a sip of each other. If then you want to go over, try also Kilchoman 100% Islay (made with Rockside Farm barley and entirely processed at Kilchoman's). You will get the idea of how in this world dominated by profit someone can still think about a different philosophy pointing to creativity and making something special starting from the raw material (barley and malting) and further processing technique. I love all Islay malts but Kilchoman to me is the most interesting and worthy distillery
Very impressed with this whisky. I tried a Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dha which was a whisky in a similar vein - that is a peaty whisky with sherry influence. I thought the marriage of flavors in that particular whisky wasn't quite right. In this it is the same concept except executed in a much better way. The nose is peaty, smokey, but with a background sweetness. The palate is rounded and full, with a lot of fruit influence with smidgen of smoke in the back ground. The finish puts the smoke back to the foreground but this isn't an aggressive smoke, it's a mellow, creamy smoke and one which lingers. A really well balanced dram that gets the peat/sherry balance bang on. Definitely worth a purchase.
This usurped the throne that was held by Lagavulin since I first started drinking whisky. Exceptionally smooth. Simply the best there is.
Sherry influence brings out a soft fruity and a lightly smoke peat flavor to a fine whisky. A good choice with a fine cigar or pipe.
If you’re like me and a big fan of peated whiskies, this will not disappoint. As soon as you crack open the bottle, the peat is evident. On the palate is warm peatiness and almonds with a hint of sherry in the background. The finish is medium-long, lingering and lovely.
