This isn't our first trip down the Kilchoman Loch Gorm road. Back in September of 2016, we published a review of this whisky along with a dessert idea that was inspired by a West Coast Office Tweet which paired Islay whisky with vanilla ice cream and freshly cracked black pepper. It was an inspired and delish dessert combination which I have recreated on numerous occasions.
For today's post, we're going to stick with a straight up review of this particular bottling, but before we get to that, here's what Kilchoman has to say about their Loch Gorm expression:
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.And now for our review...
- Appearance: Pale amber color.
- ABV: 46%
- Aroma: There is no doubt that this spent some time in a Sherry barrel. There is also no doubt that the malted barley used was kissed by some peat smoke. This is like sweet Memphis BBQ by way of Islay (if our Master Distiller Dream Team of Chip Tate and Bryan Davis collaborated on a whisky, it would smell like this!). I'm getting brown sugar, sweet chili pepper, licorice, vanilla, sea spray, thyme, and sweet sweet peat smoke.
- Taste: Light bodied with a smattering of oiliness. Sweet, herbally, and satisfyingly smoky at the start. This is quite reminiscent of Balcones Brimstone thanks to the BBQ vibe it's giving off. Chili pepper, licorice, and tobacco are coming through in the middle. Ends with chili pepper, BBQ, licorice, and some saltiness. Sweet smokiness lingers for quite awhile in the aftertaste.
The Verdict
I've been a Kilchoman fan since that first sip of Machir Bay several years ago. Loch Gorm is as good as every other expression that I've had from this distillery, and given all of it's BBQ flavor, I'd love to have this alongside some smoked brisket or pulled pork (why does whisky keep giving me the munchies?). I need to track down a bottle of this ASAP!
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Many thanks to Impex Beverages for sending us this very generous samples!Categories: Booze Review, Kilchoman
Tagged as: BBQ In a Bottle, Boozeography, Drinkwire, Glotography, Impex Beverages, Islay Whisky, Kilchoman, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Review, Reviews, Whiskey, Whisky
