Kilchoman Sanaig

Profile: The Kilchoman Sanaig at a glance

• Awarded as the best single malt Scotch whisky without an age statement at the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2016
• Islay single malt Scotch whisky with strong peat smoke (50 ppm)
• High proportion of Oloroso sherry casks for more depth
• Mature in former bourbon and sherry casks for 4-5 years
• Natural - no chill filtration & without colorings!

Portrait: What makes the Kilchoman Sanaig special

The Kilchoman Sanaig is something like the atmospheric cousin of Machir Bay – a little darker, a little more mysterious, but at least as charming. While Machir Bay is still happily skipping around on the beach, Sanaig is already leaning against the fireplace with his tweed shirt rolled up, reading a book about peat mining.

It is named after a small bay near the distillery – Sanaig Bay. Anyone who knows it knows: This bottling is not just a whisky, but a homage to the raw, wild soul of Islay with an extra portion of sherry cask magic.

The young distillery Kilchoman (active since 2005) pursues an uncompromisingly traditional approach - and with Sanaig, they take this seriously: no chill filtration, no colorings, a true 46% ABV, and a phenol content of 50 ppm that even Islay veterans will nod in recognition.

The bottles contain four- to five-year-old whiskies from former bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, with sherry clearly holding the reins here. The blend is then fine-tuned with additional Oloroso cask maturations, creating a dramatic yet extremely successful composition, almost like an Islay opera in three acts.

In short: The Sanaig is not for those afraid of a bit of smoke and character. But for everyone else, it's a faithful companion - wild, honest, and with a dramatically beautiful sherry soul.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Kilchoman Sanaig tastes like

• Nose: Soft, ripe fruits first greet the nose—a bit like a fruit basket in the evening light - combined with creamy caramel and a hint of vanilla, lending the whole a warm, inviting sweetness. The smoke is present, but (still) remains politely in the background
• Palate: First impression: Toffee! Creamy, full-bodied, and immediately captivating – then the characteristic peat smoke makes its presence felt, but in a charming way – not like a campfire in the living room, but more like a stroll along a smoky Islay beach. Afterwards, subtle citrus notes shimmer through, lending the whole a fresh, lively note. The sweetness lingers gently in the background, elegantly rounding everything off
• Finish: Balanced and harmonious: Peat smoke, ripe fruit, and delicate sweetness depart hand in hand – not an abrupt end, but a long, pleasant aftertaste – almost as if the whisky wanted to say, "Stay a little longer!"