Kilchoman Sanaig Islay Single Malt 46%

Kilchoman Sanaig is an intense and characterful Islay Single Malt, where classic peat smoke meets the dark and rich sweetness of Oloroso sherry casks. It’s a whisky with more sherry character than Machir Bay, yet Kilchoman’s fresh, maritime, and smoky style remains clearly at the forefront.

Sanaig is named after Sanaigmore Bay on Islay’s northwestern coast. This whisky is crafted for those who appreciate the combination of peaty smoke, dark fruit, spices, and sherry. Its robust character is beautifully balanced by Kilchoman’s fresh citrus and sweet malt.

Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon

Kilchoman Sanaig is primarily aged in Oloroso sherry casks combined with ex-bourbon casks. The heavy emphasis on sherry casks gives the whiskey its deep color and rich flavor profile.

The Oloroso casks add notes of dried fruit, raisins, spices, and dark chocolate. The ex-bourbon casks contribute vanilla, citrus, and sweetness. Together with the distinctive Islay smoke, this creates a full-bodied whiskey with both power and balance.

Sanaig is bottled at 46% and is neither colored nor chill-filtered. This preserves the whiskey’s natural character, body, and aromatic intensity.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Intense and inviting with peat smoke, dried fruits, and raisins. Dark chocolate, citrus, and spices emerge alongside a subtle maritime character.

Palate: Full-bodied and powerful with dark fruit, caramel, and sweet malt. Oloroso sherry adds depth with raisins, spices, and chocolate, while the peat smoke builds beautifully throughout the palate.

Finish: Long and warm with lingering peat smoke, dark fruit, spices, and a pleasant sherry sweetness. An intense finish with plenty of classic Islay character.

Kilchoman Distillery – Islay’s farm distillery

Kilchoman Distillery was founded by Anthony Wills in 2005 at Rockside Farm on Islay. The goal was to bring the tradition of small farm distilleries back to the island and create whiskey with a clear connection between ingredients, craftsmanship, and Islay’s unique natural environment.

Kilchoman grows some of its own barley in the fields surrounding the distillery and carries out an unusually large portion of its production on the farm. The Wills family continues to run the distillery, which in just a few decades has established itself among the most recognized producers of modern Islay Single Malt.

Kilchoman Sanaig is a perfect example of the distillery’s style. The combination of intense peat smoke and Oloroso sherry results in a rich and complex whisky that will particularly appeal to whisky lovers with a penchant for smoky, sherry-influenced Islay whisky.

• Country: Scotland
• Region: Islay
• Producer: Kilchoman Distillery
• Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Cask Type: Primarily Oloroso sherry casks and ex-bourbon casks
• Filtration: Not chill-filtered
• Color: Natural color
• Volume: 70 cl
• Alcohol: 46%