KILCHOMAN - Loch Gorm - 2021 Edition - 46% 2021
The Kilchoman distillery, emblematic of the island of Islay, was founded in 2005 at the Rochside farm, located near Machir Bay on the west coast of Islay Island, in Scotland. This artisanal and family-run distillery was created by Anthony Wills, a former wine industry specialist, driven by the ambition to produce traditional whisky on a small scale. Mark and Rohaise French, owners of Rochside farm, have committed to a philosophy focused on 100% local, favoring ingredients from the region, making Kilchoman one of the few distilleries to grow and malt its own barley on site.
The operation is completely self-sufficient: from barley cultivation to malting, through distillation, maturation, and bottling, everything is done directly at the distillery. The pure water needed for production comes from a natural spring located on Cnoc Dubh, just above Rochside farm. Kilchoman Single Malt is renowned for undergoing neither chill filtration nor caramel addition, thus ensuring maximum quality and an authentic expression of Islay's terroir. Distillation began in November 2005, and about 80% of the whisky is aged in ex-bourbon barrels from the Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky, while the rest is finished in Oloroso sherry butts from the famous Miguel Martin bodega in Spain. In addition to these traditional casks, Kilchoman experiments with specialty barrels, including Sauternes, red wine, rum, Port, Madeira, and Cognac casks, giving its Single Malts unparalleled complexity and aromatic richness. The total production capacity is limited to 90,000 liters per year, guaranteeing an exceptional, artisanal, and rare product.
Loch Gorm is an annual limited edition from Kilchoman that highlights whisky exclusively matured in Oloroso sherry casks. This name pays tribute to Loch Gorm, the largest freshwater lake on Islay located near the distillery. The dark and slightly cloudy hue of this lake is reflected in the deep coppery color of this whisky, the result of meticulous aging in sherry. The 2021 edition comes from an exclusive selection of 24 Oloroso sherry butts, filled between 2011 and 2012, offering a complex aromatic profile rich in fruity, spicy, and lightly peated notes. Only 17,000 bottles were produced worldwide, making this release a true gem for discerning enthusiasts.
Peated (50 ppm)
