2018 Kilchoman Loch Gorm Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Reportedly one of the distillery's best sellers, this exclusively sherry-matured edition has been a feature of the range since 2012. The 2018 release of 15,000 bottles is made up of nineteen oloroso sherry butts filled in 2007, 2008 and 2011 containing some of the oldest casks ever filled. A slightly different Loch Gorm on the nose; trace sulphur followed by dustings of cocoa, marzipan and Seville oranges developing over a blanket of soot. A touch of lanolin too. Slow and measured on the palate, with a lovely evolution of superb purity. Smokey, earthy and more mezcal-like through the finish - tasted blind you might think it's from Oaxaca. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Boy, no less than 19 oloroso butts have been used here, as it seems. But who's counting? Colour: deep gold. Nose: no, whatever people say, and whichever the prices, the Loch Gorms are just there, sitting on the top. And once again, I find this one close to Lagavulin 16, even I may have to charter a jet and fly incognito to Islay next time; indeed there's not a sacrifice we'll not make to get there. Perfect tar, salted liquorice, and walnuts. Mouth: absolutely excellent, salty, walnutty, with notes of vegetables (well, artichokes and eggplants) and the most wonderful salty and smoky earthiness. Finish: long, on salted and peated oloroso (S., that's the whole idea in the first place, no?) Comments: there's something that just clicks with this 80€ expression. I would say this should be the flagship expression, so Kilchoman's Lagavulin 16. Didn't I just sign my death warrant? 89 points - whiskyfun.com