Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2022 Limited Edition - 46%
From the distillery
Loch Gorm is the name given to our annual sherry matured limited edition. Named after Islay’s largest freshwater lake neighbouring the distillery, the dark murky colour of the loch’s water is reflected in the rich coppery tones of our sherry matured Loch Gorm release. The Allt Gleann Osamail burn, from which we collect our production water, is one of the loch’s major tributaries.
Loch Gorm is exclusively matured in oloroso sherry casks from the renowned bodega, Jose Miguel Martin. It is common for distilleries to use a variety of sherry producers but for our consistent quality and character, it is vital that we source them all from just one bodega. We select a combination of sherry butts and hogsheads from Jose Miguel Martin that provides two separate styles of maturation.
These ex-oloroso sherry casks impart a combination of heavy sherry notes, spicy dark chocolate, rich fruits and burnt sugar. This balances beautifully with the Kilchoman peat smoke and citrus fruits found within our farm crafted spirit.
“The Oloroso sherry maturation of Loch Gorm gives it a beautiful balance of big rich sherry flavours which pair very nicely with the peat smoke, soft fruits and typical sweetness of Kilchoman”
Nose: Macerated lemons, buttery shortbread and Moroccan spices give way to rich sherry notes and faint notes of peat smoke.
Palate: Cloves, dark chocolate and juicy prunes with waves of roasted almonds, sultanas, nougat and peat embers.
Finish: Herbaceous, earthy and maritime with liquorice, leather and a distinctly dry sherry-soaked finish.
This is a pre-release sample of the very popular Loch Gorm annual limited edition, due out on 18th May. There will be 17,250 bottles worldwide.
The 2022 Edition was produced from a marriage of spirit matured in oloroso sherry butts previously used by Bodega Jose y Miguel Martin. A combination of 22 sherry butts were used, mostly fresh with a small number of refills, containing spirit matured between 8 and 13 years.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Burnished gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thick legs.
Nose: Strong maritime notes, citrus fruit, a mild hint of tobacco, aniseed and hints of sweet smoke and menthol.
Palate: Dry, ashy smoke, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate enrobed almonds and toffee, sherry soaked sultanas, stone fruit, worn leather and a little citrus together with warm spices.
Finish: Smoke, rich fruit and dark chocolate stay on the palate for an age. Slightly drying, together with a definite coastal saltiness.
Summary: We were extremely fortunate to get a sample of this limited edition before the official release date, and I have to say it’s a very impressive whisky. Rich and complex, there’s a lovely balance of spirit and Oloroso cask influence, together with the maritime element you find in many Kilchoman whiskies. The smoke is dialled down but there is still enough to make its presence felt, overall this is a whisky which deserves to be savoured.
Grab a bottle while you can, I’ll be in the queue with you!
If you would like to know more about Kilchoman, the distillery and their whiskies, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: This sample was part of a 5 dram sample set with Brand Representative, Antea Allegro, purchased from The Spirits Embassy. No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.
