Kilchoman Sanaig 46% ABV SHERRY CASK MATURED

Kilchoman, Islay’s Farm Distillery, has continued its recent success at the International Whisky Competition, where it was awarded Best Peated Scotch Whisky, with medals at both the Los Angeles Spirits Competition and San Diego Wine and Spirits Challenge.

Sanaig, the latest additional to the Kilchoman range scored a stunning 92 points “Best of Category Award” at the LA Competition and Double Gold at the San Diego Wine and Spirits Challenge. The results are even more impressive given the short history of Islay’s newest distillery, having only started distilling in 2005.  Founder Anthony Wills commented “results like these are extremely pleasing, we have a belief that what we do at Kilchoman is unique and such recognition reaffirms that believe. It’s only nice to get one over on your rivals”.

First launched in the US in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself in the world of single malt. Sanaig, their latest core range release has a predominantly sherry cask influence, the Scotch first being matured in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels before being transferred to further maturation in Oloroso sherry casks.  The result of this dual cask maturation allows for both the caramel and vanilla from the Bourbon barrel to combine with the richness of the sherry casks along with the signature maritime peat smoke, saltiness and citrus sweetness of Kilchoman.

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and was the first distillery to be built on Islay for 125 years.  Kilchoman, the only independently owned Islay distillery is most famous as the only distillery in Scotland to produce a portion of it’s whisky from barley grown onsite, completing all stages of the whisky-making process themselves using traditional farm distillery methods. Kilchoman Sanaig is bottled at 46% ABV and is available in the majority of the US markets, priced between $70 and $75.

Tasting Notes: Kilchoman Sanaig Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky

Colour: Beech wood

Nose:  Soft cooked fruits with caramel and vanilla.

Palate:  Toffee, peat smoke and citrus with lingering sweetness.

Finish:  A lovely balance of peat smoke, fruit and sweetness.

Notes: Kilchoman Distillery is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Anthony and wife Kathy have now been joined by their three sons: George, James and Peter.   Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this. Kilchoman is now very much a family affair:   Since the first bottling was released in 2008, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:

• Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
• Machir Bay was named Whisky of the Year at IWC 2013. Loch Gorm was also awarded Gold, Machir Bay received Silver and 100% Islay 2nd Ed was given bronze.
• Kilchoman 2007 Vintage received Whisky Advocate’s Award for Islay Single Malt of the Year 2013.
• In 2012 Machir Bay was awarded two prestigious IWSC Gold medals and a Silver medal, and was named in GQ’s Best 100 Things of 2012.
• Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.