Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2014 Edition ~ 46% (Kilchoman Distillery)

• 46% ABV, £59.40 for 70cl
• Score: 82/100

What they say:

The Loch Gorm was filled into fresh Oloroso sherry butts in 2009 and bottled in spring 2014, this full ex-sherry cask maturation creates a unique balance of classic Kilchoman character and rich Oloroso sherry influence.

Nose: mixed preserved fruit, particularly lemon and rich peat smoke
Palate: dry cereal flavour develops into honey and biscuit with lingering peat
Finish: rich, sweet and smoky

What I say:

This 2nd edition Loch Gorm is 100% sherry-cask matured like the 1st edition, however this time it was matured in refill butts and hogsheads, imparting a lot lighter sherry influence – balanced by the slightly more mature nature of the Kilchoman matured spirit.

Colour:

Orange/amber gold

Nose:

Delicate tanned leather and inner tubes, fruity and peaty

Palate:

Sweet and fruity, chocolate, malty cereal and a little peppery spice, with water a little of the new make qualities come out more

Finish:

Long, figs, prunes, toffee and tannic leather

Originally sampled at Water of Life Society 17/04/2014 – Kilchoman