Kilchoman Sanaig

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 46% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Sanaig brings together maturation in Oloroso sherry casks and bourbon casks. The high sherry proportion adds dried fruit and spices to the interplay of citrus sweetness and peat smoke. Named after a bay on Islay’s Atlantic coast, this Single Malt belongs to Kilchoman’s permanent core range.

In 2023, the distillery described the recipe as a marriage of approximately 70% whisky matured in Oloroso sherry Hogsheads and 30% matured in Bourbon Barrels. The whiskies initially mature separately in the distillery’s warehouses. Sanaig uses heavily peated malt with a phenol level of 50 ppm. It is bottled without an age statement at 46%, without chill filtration or added colouring.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, heather, raisins, pear and orange peel mingle with stone fruit and mixed spices. Powerful peat smoke runs through the fruity aromas.
• Palate: Overripe plums and red cherries emerge on the palate with delicate citrus hints. These are followed by rich peat smoke with barbecue notes, toffee, oak and dark chocolate.
• Finish: Fruit notes and caramel coat the palate on the finish. Cinnamon, cloves and brown sugar combine with further spices and peat smoke, while the sweetness lingers.

Distillery/Bottler:

Anthony and Kathy Wills founded Kilchoman on Islay in 2005. The family business is closely connected to the surrounding Rockside Farm. For its own 100% Islay range, Kilchoman grows barley and processes it on traditional malting floors, where it is turned by hand. This self-contained journey from field to bottle is a distinct production concept within the distillery.

Kilchoman’s production methods include fermentation lasting around 90 hours and small, manually controlled pot stills. The long fermentation encourages fruity and creamy, buttery notes to develop, while the shape and size of the stills ensure intensive copper contact. The Single Malts are also bottled on the distillery grounds.

Facts: