Spring has finally arrived here on Islay and our flock of black face sheep are due to lamb in mid April. All have been scanned and we are happy with the percentage of those in lamb, fingers crossed for a period of good weather in the next 4-5 weeks to ensure that the lambs get the best possible start. The farmers are checking the sheep daily, keeping a close eye on them for any issues.
Over the last couple of months we have been busy identifying the fields that we will use to grow barley in this year. The fields have all been soil sampled and will be fertilised and limed to ensure that the barley has all the nutrients that it needs to grow the best possible crop.
We will start ploughing in the next few days. Some of the other farms on the island have been busy ploughing but we have a light sandy soil that could blow if we get a dry and windy spell of weather prior to sowing. We will not sow the barley until mid April as the barnacle and white fronted geese will not be leaving the island until then. If we sow too early they will take the seed and leave nothing. This year the barley crop will be mainly Concerto which has a proven track record with us but this year we are going to try about 10 acres of a new variety called Sienna.
The winter this year has not been too bad weather wise and not particularly wet until recently when we had a deluge of rain and the water from the field drains came over the road to the distillery, this does not happen very often and led to some speedy repairs in order that staff and visitors could get to and from the distillery.
All the preparations are in place, all we need now is a little cooperation from the weather….
To kick off our 2017 limited editions we are delighted to announce that this years Loch Gorm release will be available from next week, Monday the 3rd of April.
Loch Gorm is the name given to our annually bottled sherry cask matured limited edition. The loch is located to the north of the distillery and is very dark and peaty in colour, similar to the dark rich colour of our sherry cask matured single malt.
The much anticipated 2017 edition is the sixth and oldest instalment of the range, having been matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts filled in 2009.
With the majority of our whisky being matured in ex bourbon barrels, Loch Gorm is the only release to be maturated exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks, only 13,500 bottles will be available worldwide. Like many of our expressions, Loch Gorm releases have been evolving over the years and this, the 2017 edition, is the oldest yet. This extra maturation has afforded it a full-bodied richness which combines with the peat smoke and fruity flavours typical of Kilchoman to create a truly unique Islay single malt.
Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director; “Loch Gorm is undoubtedly assertive however in the midst of its distinctive peat smoke and sherry character it retains a certain finesse and subtlety.”
Loch Gorm 2017 is bottled at 46% ABV and as with all our Kilchoman single malts, it is non chill filtered and natural colour allowing for all it’s full bodied character to shine through. Loch Gorm will be available from Kilchoman retailers worldwide next week. A limited number of bottles will also be available directly from the Kilchoman website at 12 noon on Monday 3rd of April priced at £69.00. Due to the limited number of bottles, purchases from our website are limited to one bottle per person.
Official tasting notes, Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2017
Colour: Rich mahogany.
Nose: Orange and lemon notes, rich smoky peat and cooked fruit.
Palate: Rich chocolate, cinnamon and cloves combined with peat smoke.
Finish: Long and full bodied with a balance of sweet smoke.
The most recent vatting of Machir Bay was selected from the warehouse last week. We carefully choose a variety of ex bourbon and sherry casks for each vatting. Machir Bay is made up of predominantly ex bourbon matured barrels, both fresh and refill, with a small amount of oloroso sherry casks used to add balance and richness to the release. Each year the general maturation of the Machir Bay is evolving as the distillery grows. The pressure is now on for this next vatting to win as many awards as the previous!
