Review #700 - Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength

Kilchoman's core range bottles, Machir Bay and Sanaig, have been mainstays now for about a decade now. These have always been bottled at a strength of 46% ABV, but higher strength versions could occasionally be found. It wasn't until 2020 that we saw a wider distribution of a cask strength version of Machir Bay; then, in 2024, the distillery followed suit with this cask strength Sanaig.

Sanaig Cask Strength uses the same cask composition as the standard version of Sanaig: roughly 70% Oloroso sherry cask maturation, with the other 30% being ex-bourbon casks. For this release, the strength is bumped up to a punch 57.8% ABV, and of course, we know that Kilchoman doesn't chill filter or artificially color their whisky.

Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength

Scotland/Islay - Single Malt

Price: USD 89 (2025)

Age Statement: NAS

Strength: 57.8% ABV

Cask Makeup: Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon casks

Details: Not chill filtered, no color added; bottled October 2024

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 2 months; bottles at 80%, 70%, and 50% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a nosing glass each time, rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Sharp and smoky up front: jalapenos, ashy peat smoke, medicinal at times, almost a bit acrid. That peat is quite strong, and we also get accents of charred wood or charcoal. Oranges, blackberry, molasses, and brown sugar add some sweetness, and in the background, it's a bit of raisin, barbecue, and licorice.

Palate: Rich and syrupy, both spicy and sweet. Strong peat and lots of charcoal add a smoky side but we get oranges, mulled red wine, prunes, and limes - a plethora of fruit. It's a bit fizzy and sharp with hot peppers and hot cinnamon; sea salt and savory notes like barbecued pork arrive later in the palate. The mouthfeel is medium-thick.

Finish: Wood smoke, savory meat notes and barbecue sauce, with lemon-lime soda and sour orange behind that - a fun mix of savory and citrus notes. The peat is still strong with an ashy side, and we get subtle raisins and red grape skins. This is a very long finish.

Final Note: When we first tried this, we were a bit surprised - we were expecting a brash, punchy whisky with a lot of peat, but it was quite sharp and tasted very young. Time has helped this open up a lot, though, and it's showing more layers and complexity with each tasting; the sharp, youthful notes have also mellowed out.

There are great layers of fruit, smoke, and savory notes at the same time, and while there are common threads in each tasting session, there are also subtle nuances each time that keep things interesting. The mouthfeel is good due to the higher strength, and this single malt has one of the longest finishes that we've had in recent memory - that peat and dark fruit lingers for a long time.

Value is above average here, too. The price for this bottle is $15 to $20 more than the standard version of Sanaig, but we think that it's worth the increased cost; really, you can't go wrong with either version, and Kilchoman continues to provide good value across their core range.

Our Average Rating: 7.5 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating: 6.72

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.