Kilchoman Loch Gorm, like it says below, is Kilchoman’s only 100% ex-sherry whisky in their standard lineup. There have been single cask ex-sherry releases, but they’re few and far between. Though each one I’ve had has been utterly fantastic with the very first cask released in the USA being akin to a religious experience. I still dream of that dram and it sits as among my most memorable whisky experiences.
In Kilchoman’s Words: Kilchoman Loch Gorm
“Named after a famously peaty loch overlooked by the distillery, Loch Gorm is the only fully ex-sherry cask matured release in our range. Since it’s first launch in 2012 a new edition of Loch Gorm has been released every year, each with it’s unique balance of sherry influence and maturity. Bottlings are differentiated by distillation and bottling years printed on the label. Loch Gorm combines rich sherry fruits and spices with smouldering peat, cloves and lingering sweetness.”
I know it’s a bit weird that I’m hitting the peated Islays during bourbon heritage month but, to be totally transparent, I’ve burned through a lot of my bourbons for review and I have few left in reserve I want to open because I have so darn many open already. I know, poor me right? But don’t fret, I’ll definitely get into some bourbon this month. But for now it’s on to the Kilchoman Loch Gorm review.
Kilchoman Loch Gorm Info
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Kilchoman
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Sherry
Age: 5 Years
ABV: 46%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 2014
Price: $90
Kilchoman Loch Gorm Review
EYE
Ruddy
NOSE
Peat, caramel, malt, sherry, dark fruit, brown sugar, spice and bits of candied citrus, cocoa and jerky.
PALATE
Peat, brown sugar, saline, dark fruit, malt, nuts, sherry, earthiness, spice and more candied citrus and jerky.
FINISH
Long slow fade out of dark fruit, peat, candy sweetness, wine sweetness, spice and malt.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, full body and a remarkably oily feel.
OVERALL
Oh man this 2014 Kilchoman Loch Gorm is great. It’s balanced, crisp, full bodied, flavorful and tasty tasty tasty. I threw this bottle into the Malt Nuts Kilchoman Wine Cask Tasting and not only was it one of my favorites of the night, but it was hands down my favorite of the ’14,’15 and ’16 Loch Gorm releases. I haven’t had the ’12, ‘13 or ’17 to compare it to so I can’t fully call it the best yea yet. Though both the ’15 and ’16 are a high B+ in my book.
This is a whisky that evolves with air so let it sit for a while to fully express what it has to offer. Being bottled at 46% I don’t recommend adding water, but air will do this one wonders. I found that after about 20 minutes some subtle cocoa notes started to arrive which paired nicely with the spicy sherry spirit. Kilchoman Loch Gorm is definitely a whisky I’ll be keeping in the rotation.
SCORE: 90/100 (A-)
