Kilchoman Releases Its Annual Sherry Cask Matured Limited Whisky

Kilchoman, considered Islay’s most authentic farm distillery, has made a rather nice name for itself in the shadow of its much more well known Scotch single malt whisky neighbors. It has a number of liked annual bottlings under its brand, including the sherry cask matured Loch Gorm. The 2020 variant of this has now been announced.

The new Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2020 Scotch single malt whisky, according to those behind it, is the only release in this distillery’s range to be fully matured in sherry casks (most often ex-bourbon is used). For this year’s bottling it is made up of 21 Oloroso sherry butts filled in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, bottled at 46% ABV without any chill filtration and coloring. 

“The peat smoke and citrus sweetness of the Kilchoman spirit pairs beautifully with the rich influence of these Oloroso sherry casks,” said Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director, in a prepared statement. “Overall there are a lot of similarities between the 2019 and 2020 expressions however the 2020 bottling is much more fruit forward, there’s a bit less of the dry sherry influence and more dried fruits and cinnamon sweetness.”

Plans called for 15,500 bottles to be released globally, each pricing around £70, or about $90 USD. You’ll find some official tasting notes below from the distillery.

• Nose: sweet maltiness, sooty peat smoke and citrus sweetness with light cinnamon and juicy raisins and sultanas.
• Palate: Toffee, smoked meats and sherry sweetness with layers of ripe fruit, honey and hints of orange peel and sea salt.
• Finish: BBQ smoke, dark chocolate with apples, pears, plums, raisins and lasting oak spice.