Kilchoman Sanaig (2016 Edition)

This has been on my list a while but always seemed a little too pricey to pull the trigger. Well I found it at a reasonable price today so thought it was now or never. The nose is thick and heavy with dark jammy fruit simmering in sea water. Dive in deeper and peat smoke and iodine instantly take you exactly where you want to be with an Islay. Malt forward grain brings up the rear. Letting it breathe too much does uncover the ethanol which is fine, but thins out the luxury that was there previously. I was expecting some sweetness at the front of palate but it really leans in with boggy, decaying peat right off the get go, then heads up to the surface with grassy vegetal notes. From there it evolves again showcasing the barley farm it came from with unctuous cereal flavour. Finish is medium, with the faintest hint of spice but more bitterness of cocoa and oak. Drinking this whisky makes me think of terroir, as I don’t feel like I left the actual field through the whole dram. It’s interesting but not complicated, and overall delicious. I don’t pick up on much sherry influence (other then nose) and will be interested to try next to Machir Bay.

Established in 2005, this northern Islay expression starts, keeps, and ends strong. Excellent nose - light and smokey with a hint of tropical fruit and a fresh scent cologne (🤷🏼‍♂️) far off in the background. A velvet palate with gentle smoke and a rich, malty texture. Impressive to say the least. Make way for the new kid on the block. (AT)

Nose - orange peel, lemon, leather, smoke, licorice Mouth - I had a hard time getting individual flavors, very enjoyable though. Rich toffee perhaps

Very smoky. Some notes of raisin and pineapple. Smooth and burns less than most peaty scotches.