Kilchoman – Sanaig (70cl, 46%)

Kilchoman Sanaig is an Islay single malt named after a bay on the island's Atlantic coast. It is part of the distillery's permanent range and is bottled at 46% in a 70cl bottle, without chill-filtration or added colour. The distillery described the recipe in 2023 as roughly 70% whisky matured in Oloroso sherry hogsheads and 30% matured in bourbon barrels, each matured separately before vatting. The malt is heavily peated, at 50 ppm phenols, and the sherry casks bring dried fruit and spice alongside citrus sweetness. The nose offers heather, raisins, pear, orange peel and stone fruit, with strong peat smoke. Overripe plums, red cherries, grilled notes, toffee and dark chocolate follow on the palate. The finish is sweet, with caramel, cinnamon, cloves and brown sugar.