Kilchoman – Loch Gorm 2025
Kilchoman Farm Distillery is situated on the west side of Islay just a stone’s throw from the fantastic Machir Beach, may I say, for me, Machir Beach is one of the most stunning places I have ever been. If on Islay, you must visit this beach and it goes without saying you have to visit Kilchoman Distillery.
Kilchoman Distillery is a family run business founded by Anthony Wills and his wife Kathy. As the business grew and grew in came Anthony and Kathy’s three sons. The three sons are in charge of sales and all marketing for the Distillery. It was such a disappointment on my last visit to Islay that the distillery wasn’t open – hence no visit.
Kilchoman Distillery is Islay’s only farm Distillery where they grow their own barley, (440 tonnes per year) which in turn fills 1,400 barrels of the finest amber nectar.
Loch Gorm is close to Kilchoman Distillery and is also the largest freshwater loch on Islay, and I am sure this was the inspiration for production of Loch Gorm 2025 which was this years annual expression.
It is now time to have a taste. The dram, the glass, and some water at hand.
Colour…Sahara Sand
Nose…My nose was greeted with the sweetest of Islay peat, hints of an engine fan belt, lemon soaked prawns from the BBQ.
Taste…Included with the sweet peat there are some maritime character, freshly sawn oak, loved the idea of a smokey Cranachan, now in comes some vanilla, cinder toffee, my palate was now experiencing orange ice lollies, some mild spices cinnamon puff of white pepper, raisins soaked in sherry, certainly shows it’s Islay roots.
Finish…Medium to long finish, elegant with a slight drying effect, the peat and oak spice come to the front and are quite in charge.
This must be the best Kilchoman I have tasted. Complex on every level. Would appear that Kilchoman only takes a small centre cut to ensure that only the finest spirit is matured for their outstanding drams. An Islay Classic.
Retailing at around £74.95 and worth every penny.
Another favourite of mine from Kilchoman is the Loch Gruinart (another local loch to Kilchoman Distillery). This dram is exclusively selected and bottled for Marks and Spencer as part of their M&S Collection and is only priced at £40.00, 46% Alc/vol and non-chill filtered with no colouring added. Much to my wife’s annoyance I like to sneak a bottle in her trolley when she is shopping in M & S.
