Kilchoman Loch Gruinart - Whisky Review 179

[@kevinnordby4808]

Thanks for the review! I’m always interested to hear about a Kilchoman.

[@Bowman1999]

Shane. great review. Kilchoman is one of my top 3 Islay distilleries as well, along with Bruichladdich & Bunnahabhain. Hopefully Ardnahoe start putting out quality bottlings and then there will be a top 4. Cheers!

[@WhiskyLock]

It's heart warming to see the previously overlooked, unpeated Islay distilleries getting so much love these days. Can't wait to try some Ardnahoe. Cheers 🥃

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

As normal, an excellent and very detailed review. I 100% agree that they have surpassed Bruichladdich as the No.1 craft distillery on Islay. Kilchoman Loch Gruinart. Yes, you are correct. The information I was given says that it's a vatting of Refill Ex-Sherry casks (both Oloroso and PX) and Refill Ex-Bourbon barrels. The peat comes from Port Ellen and rated at 50 PPM. Talking of Kilchoman, I am excited to get my hands on the new 100% Islay 13th Edition which is the first exclusively Ex-Bourbon barrel edition since the 9th edition. It is as yet not available in Israel.

[@welshtoro3256]

Hello my good friend. I hope you are well in these troubled times. I very much fancy that 13th Edition too. Listen, if you can't get it let me know and I'll get one for you. You can pick it up next time you visit. Guess what? I cracked open my Springbank 12 (100% ex-bourbon) this week and it's an absolute gem. Folk are so used to that whisky with a dirty sherry note but, seriously, it's really excellent as just ex-bourbon. I paid 2021 retail, £65 or so, and was astonished to see that it's trading above $400 today. The world is a crazy place right now. I'll message you privately. All the best. WT

[@WhiskyLock]

Great to hear from you Reb. It's been quite a while since I've had a 100% Islay and the 100% bourbon interests me too. I really must review more Kilchoman, unbelievably I don't think I've covered any of their core range yet which is absurd. Cheers 🥃

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

​@welshtoro3256 Hi Welsh. I sent you an email a couple of days ago.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

​@WhiskyLock The 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th were all exclusively Ex-Bourbon. Then they changed the formula somewhat. Now, with the 13th, they have gone back to the original cask recipe. By the way, since the first distillation, Kilchoman has been using Ex-Bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace in Kentucky, which have a distinctive flavour and character to them. I know how much you enjoy nurdy information, so I'll just tell you that recently, the distillery has switched over to barrels from Breckenridge distillery who are based in Colorado. It will be interesting to see how this effects the spices vanillin and coconut flavours.

[@WhiskyLock]

We can never have too many details Reb. I think the last full bottle of 100% Islay that I bought was back in 2015 😬 with a few samples of other batches purchased since. I didn't know that they'd switched ASB supplier. I do enjoy BT. Both the bourbon and the Scotch 😉 so yes it will be interesting to see the effects in a few years. Cheers 🥃

[@NeilImmortal]

Interesting to see an M&S release, may take a look when I am over at Christmas. I was interested in the 16 year old but that is currently priced about the same as a Springbank 18, here in Germany, so no 😬

[@WhiskyLock]

Yeah I was tempted by the 16yo but the price put me off too. I'm sure it would've been great but I'll wait to see if the price goes down on future age statements. I was in the same boat with the new 15yo from English Whisky Company. I was lucky enough to be able to try it and it's bloody amazing. £300 though so a pass from me 😕

[@howardfoster4393]

Thanks for the heads up on this one. I too am a big Kilchoman fan so I am heading straight to our local M&S today to see if they stock it. That’s a great pice and if it’s close to Machir Bay in taste then it sounds like a no brainer 👍👍

[@WhiskyLock]

Hope you enjoy it as much as I am 👍🥃

[@Nikolay_Nikolov]

Nice review, Shane. In my book, Kilchoman is currently at the very top of the Islay distilleries. Followed closely by Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich. Unfortunately, Bruichladdich is quite poorly presented in Bulgaria and can't compete with Kilchoman in terms of availability and price/quality ratio. All the other "big names" on Islay had dropped the ball more or less. There is no M&S in Bulgaria, but the core expressions Machir Bay and Sanaig are readily available and very reasonably priced at roughly 31 and 36.5 pounds respectively. Loch Gorm and 100% Islay are at roughly 55-56 pounds. Machir Bay Cask Strength costs 48 pounds. So far, the Kilchoman expressions I have enjoyed the most are Loch Gorm 2020 and a 10 yo single bourbon cask bottling from 2020 exclusive to Bulgaria. Cheers!

[@WhiskyLock]

Those are some very good prices! I think I'd take one of each 😉 Loch Gorm is really great. I enjoy it a lot more than Sanaig which is also no slouch. My favourite is probably the Machir CS though 👍

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for reviewing Shane, Have tried a previous version that I found very pleasing... but as there is no M&S in my neighbourhood... little chance. Loch Gruinart indeed is a nature reserve, especially interesting for bird watching. Slàinte mhath

[@welshtoro3256]

Good heaven's my friend. What part of the planet do you inhabit?

[@WhiskyLock]

I have some great memories of Loch Gruinart. When I first went to Islay we were staying on the rhinns and Loch Gruinart was the first place we went. Beautiful cloudless sunny day with 30 degree temperatures. I kid you not 😂

[@liamclarke8411]

Love there whisky thanks for Tip are see if I can get a bottle in M&S and great review sounds great whisky at that price

[@WhiskyLock]

Cheers Liam 🥃

[@kfordcurler]

Unfortunately, won't be able to get my hands on this in Canada, but we stayed at Loch Gruinart B&B during our visit to Islay in September, so it was special to tune into this review. Our experience at Kilchoman Distillery was sensational, and their setting next to Machir Bay was so beautiful. If we ever return, we'll definitely be spending more time on Islay.

[@WhiskyLock]

It's a lovely place and sounds like you had a great time. I bet most don't explore the western part of the Island other than Bruichladdich and perhaps Portnahaven but they should. Cheers 🥃

[@pierreluna1654]

Great Review ! In France, specially at supermarkets is available since several years. (I think it was made for the French market at the beginning) but the price is 45 euros around.

[@WhiskyLock]

Cheers Pierre 🥃

[@coppullcaveman]

Absolutely agree 100% on everything Shane. I picked up 2 bottles last week and opened one at the weekend (which is very unlike me) the sour note put me off abit and I was hoping that with some oxidation this may dissipate. On the hole it's a nice alternative to Machir bay which I do love the sweet creamy peat of. Touching on Price, at the beginning of this year a super market in my area Booths, had Machir Bay and Ledaig 10 on for £35 so it's possible to get (although not as likely again) Just touching on the B casks, Ive not been on many tours but Springbank rate their casks being A - First fill, B - 2nd fill. Can't remember if they go so far to C. I'd say alot would do the same.

[@WhiskyLock]

Glad to hear that you got some. It's a nice little bargain for any Kilchoman fan. Interesting! I'd never heard of distilleries giving casks letters for refill degree. Or maybe I had and half forgot 😂 Cheers 🥃

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Hi Shane, funny how tricky marketing can be...You mention that it is presented now in UK as a novelty (even if you say it was released before, if I understood well) & as an exclusive expression for M&S, I believe you, but for me, they just did a "rebranding" as it is since around 2020 (when it first appeared on our shelves) here a so-called "French supermarket exclusive" & it had a bit different look (i reviewed it on my channel a while ago, so you can see the bottle there-and it did very positively evolve since the review...so I did rereviewed it last year or so while giving away a home blended malt recipe to my viewers = homeblend N°72). Listening to you, I'm not sure it is the exact same recipe for UK (what is sure is that "mine" is Bourbon & Sherry casks from US & EU oak) as for me there seem to be a bit of first fill Bourbon casks in there even if not the majority (while for the sherry component I do think as a blender that there is not a lot of casks & probably all refill), and at least the first batches I had (from 2020 & 2021), and one from 2022 also offered to a friend, were way "brighter" than what you describe here (the dryness & ashy peat) showcasing also some beautiful floral & fruity notes, and some gorgeous star anise note, while still being that Kilchoman trademark special peaty & slightly farmy style...I''ve recently secured a 4th bottle of it (+2 being killed in 2 years) and this is the first time I had an early 2023 batch, so we'll see when I'll open it if the batch variations are significant this time, while they were not regarding the batches I had (3 fantastic ones I have to say & more interesting than mine from Machir Bay, but mine is bit old now...). Price here is around 39 € (at its launch in 2020) & around 43/47 € nowadays, so pretty hard to beat 46 % naturally presented peated qsingle malt value wise, as you rightfully so said. Cheers !

[@WhiskyLock]

Hi Greg. I just watched your video. Interesting that we raised a lot of the same points and nice to see some similarities between notes. When M&S say that this is an 'M&S exclusive' I guess the really mean 'in the UK'. As far as I know Loch Gruinart has never been released in the UK before and the previous two Loch Gruinarts I'm aware of were French Market exclusives as far as I can tell and I didn't get to try them. Cheers 🥃

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

@@WhiskyLock Thanks, makes sense....Regarding my first K. L.G. video notes, I have to say yes probably, but the profile did evolve after say -10 cl almost spectacularly & same for each batch, so I'll be curious to hear your thoughts later on this year about your bottle, even if the level is apparently -20 cl or close...so I suspect here a batch variation with mines. If you were not in the UK, I'll propose to do a swap of samples, but maybe we can still do it bit later on (I will open the 2023 batch in priority to see if there is a difference but I have doubles for the 10/2022 if not mistaken. Will not open 2 batches at the same time though...i'll keep you posted anyway.

[@gareth630]

Sometimes Lock you are a star. Caught this am prior to mrs Gareth heading to York with her mate from next door. Slipped her my card and at 5pm when I came home from the pub one Loch Gruinrt on the table, happy days 🙂

[@WhiskyLock]

Great result 😉🥃

[@bmac9936]

Appreciate your efforts to bring this review of something I will never experience here in the states. Will have to content myself with my favorite bottle of Sanaig from my generally favorite Islay distillery.

[@WhiskyLock]

Thanks for watching! You never know... a later batch may appear in your country. I was in the same situation as you a few years ago when the previous batch was a French exclusive and here we are. Until then enjoy your Sanaig 🥃🙂

[@bmac9936]

To be fair, I’m sure there are plenty of special distributions to go around. We see occasional small batch releases. Last year I picked up a bottle of single bourbon cask, 12 y/o 59% that was privately labeled for a local liquor chain. Intense even with a few drops of water. @@WhiskyLock

[@WhiskyLock]

​@@bmac9936That sounds like a good one. It is impressive how much Kilchoman gets out there and how available it is. Are people not buying it as an investment or to flip as is the case with certain other brands? 🤔 Can't complain though...

[@janemac6084]

Well that’s a nice surprise to wake up to ..I had no idea about this one so I will be off to M and S later to grab me a bargain Kilchoman. My favourite Kilchoman is Loch Gorm but then I love most whiskies with ashy, peaty, smokey , mossy notes so this one sounds a winner at that price . Thank you for the heads up. Interesting questions …favourite Islay distillery and favourite Islay whisky .. 💭 🤔 would need to ponder a long while with a dram 🥃.

[@WhiskyLock]

Hope you enjoy it as much as I am! Picking a favourite Islay is a hard task. Tough to pick a distillery let alone an expression! Cheers 🥃

[@janemac6084]

@@WhiskyLock agreed .. have visited them all many times .. next visit is next June so will do further research 😂

[@WhiskyLock]

@@janemac6084 for science! 👨‍🔬😂

[@welshtoro3256]

Follow up review as promised, along with the entirely predictable purchase. Went to my M&S before work today to bag some bargains and got some reduced price bacon, reduced price custard tarts, some bananas, some chicken liver pate for lunch and look what landed in the basket. It's a bottle of of £35 whisky. At the end of the day it's a Kilchoman and a pretty safe bet. I've opened it and I'm drinking it whilst I write this up. Spoiler Alert - I like it. First thing to comment as soon as you open the bottle is the peat. A lovely burned wood smoke peat style and this is confirmed on the palate. It is youthful but no unpleasant feints. As a matter of fact it's a very nice marriage of all the elements. I'm actually quite impressed with the colour for such a young average age. You can detect some refill sherry in this and that is confirmed by our great friend, Reb Mordechai. If it has sherry in it he will know. When it comes to whisky or anything else, for that matter, I am more than happy to eat my words and be proved wrong. This whisky is such an occasion. They could put an age statement on it like the Wee Beastie but I'm not sure they need to. Loch Gruinart is a fine dram for £35 for sure. I had to recognise that Ardbeg had found a great niche with Wee Beastie and this has too with a lot less fanfare. A big thumbs up for quality, affordable, whisky. Cheers Buddy, WT

[@WhiskyLock]

I'm glad you're enjoying it as much as I am WT! For £35 I'd probably be considering a second bottle if I wasn't so... well stocked 😒 Cheers 🥃

[@welshtoro3256]

Perfect timing. I was playing with this bottle in M&S yesterday. Shall I, shan't I? Just because it's cheap is it worth it? I've never had a poor one from Kilchoman but why is it exclusive to M&S and why is it so cheap? Questions, questions. I only came to buy the milk and eggs but here I am with another bottle of whisky in my hands. I put it back and figured some helpful reviewer would find it irresistible at the price and do the hard work of a review. And guess what happened the very next day? God bless you guvnor. Excellent review and it kind of confirms my suspicions for better or worse. Ultimately, the reason I held off is that £35 is still £35. I'm only £10 extra from scoring a guaranteed home run with the Machir Bay or an Ardbeg 10. I think I would also rather buy the Wee Beastie for about the same price and I really like that. It's also coming to silly season when I expect Bunnahabhain 12 to hit £36. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with this whisky and a cheap Kilchoman is a good thing and I agree with what you say about refill casks. However, Ardbeg's Wee Beastie is available everywhere and a genuinely made up recipe. The fact that this is an M&S exclusive leaves the impression one has of Travel Retail exclusives. A discreet way of using up some lower grade stock and it's in M&S so most of the punters wont know anyway. Give it a craft presentation and the whisky nerds wont think it's a sell out. Gosh, I'm ashamed how cynical I've become but then again this bottle was sat next to M&S Glenfarclas 10 bottled at 42.5% so you cant blame me. I'm afraid the Loch Gruinart isn't exciting me and a whisky, even a cheap whisky should do that. (I'll probably buy one next time I do my shop and send a follow up comment.) Cheers. WT

[@WhiskyLock]

It is really impressive how you never get a bad Kilchoman. How many distilleries can we say that about? As for why this is an M&S exclusive, my guess is that M&S want to add a bit of bling and prestige to their Christmas offerings. They're pushing a range of exclusive spirits and drinks from various 'household name' brands right now for some wow factor. Much like travel retail does, as you say. My guess is that Kilchoman have used it as an opportunity to offload some 'good but not great' casks.... again much like travel retail 😉 Does that make it one to avoid? IMHO no. I do think Machir Bay is better but the difference in quality is much less than the price difference. It's different enough to Machir to be interesting to long term fans and most importantly; good enough to be worth £35 of anyone's money IMO. I had a look in a couple of supermarkets on the way home today and the number of shite whisky on sale for well over £35 is staggering. Apparently the undiscounted price for Singleton 12 is £46. What exactly is going on? 😣 Interestingly the M&S that I bought my Loch Gruinart from doesn't seem to be stocking the Glenfarclas exclusive. At least not yet. Not that I'm too bothered. Cheers 🥃

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Boom added to the shopping list! Thanks Shane, thanks Sidd!

[@WhiskyLock]

You're very welcome! Hope you enjoy this little Christmas bargain as much as I am 🥃

[@welshtoro3256]

I just cracked my bottle and left a follow up comment. It's very good for the money.

[@markevans7244]

I was in my local M&S the other day buying an umbrella and saw this. I had to pass it by because I’ve spent a huge amount already this month on Ralfys bottlings. Tempted to go back and get a bottle now!

[@WhiskyLock]

I feel your pain. There's always another interesting bottling that demands our attention... and money! At least this one is reasonably priced.

[@kiwigor]

Great review once again! Will never be able to buy this but that’s alright. The Fino and the Cognac just arrived in NZ but the price is a bit too high….. any experience with those? And also a bit worried the new 16YO will be way too expensive…. Which would be disappointing…. I love Kilchoman

[@WhiskyLock]

I haven't tried the latest fino but I've had fino Kilchoman before and I think it suits it very well. I fear you may be right about the price of the 16yo... 😕

[@joan_b.]

Great job! I agree 100% Loch Gruinart is a good entry to the range of non sherried Kilchoman. Slàinte!

[@WhiskyLock]

It really is! I hope lots of people discover Kilchoman because of this bottle. Cheers 🥃

[@stevevarley6641]

Good and fair review. The M&S specific Glenfarclas 10, is absolutely fantastic value at £40 - way better (IMHO) than the standard 40% 10 year old - give it a try and see what you think.

[@WhiskyLock]

Interesting! Sadly my M&S doesn't seem to be selling the Glenfarclas. At least not yet. Thanks for the tip though 👍

[@NicStride]

At my local Lclerc this is the same price (Maybe one quid less) as Ardbeg 10... Was very undecided seeing them next to eachother on the shelf, and after finding this video, I can't say I'm any less undecided... :P

[@WhiskyLock]

So much for this being a so-called M&S exclusive 😂 Personally I'd go Ardbeg 10. Unless that's your usual go to... in which case this is a nice change that's roughly on par quality wise. They're both solid drams. Cheers 🥃

[@NicStride]

@@WhiskyLock I believe it's a UK and France exclusive, and that it's M&S only distrib in the UK, but seeing as we only have like 5 M&S in the whole of France (None of which are within a 300 mile radius of where I live, haha) they've given some stock to other retailers here. I'll pickup an Ardbeg, thanks! Only had it once at a bar and was so busy chatting shit to my friend that I couldn't tell it apart from a Laphroaig. Cheers!

[@Ebril]

You know what, I've never had a bad dram of Kilchoman, good stuff.

[@WhiskyLock]

Couldn't agree more 👍

[@alexanderbrown7631]

Good analysis bro .

[@davidowen2834]

Good review Shane. Shame I don’t live in the uk, it sounds pretty decent also the price, £35, that’s around €40 definitely a bargain. Slàinte Shane 🥃.

[@WhiskyLock]

I don't think you can go wrong with a £35 Kilchoman. Nice that they kept the ABV up too. Cheers David 🥃

[@wouterblom7569]

Hi Shane, good review! Too bad I don’t have access to M&S where I live. Hurray for refill wood though! Some of the best whiskies I have ever tasted have been well aged in refill wood. I prefer whiskies where the spirit does most of the talking, rather than the casks. I wonder though what other Islay distilleries are in your top-3. Would that be Ardbeg and Bruichladdich, perhaps? Cheers!

[@WhiskyLock]

#TeamRefill 👍 It may be different on a different day 😉 but somewhat controversially my Islay top 3 at the moment is Kilchoman Ardbeg and Caol Ila actually. Yeah, you have to go IB to get the best out of Caol Ila but there's plenty of it around for cheap and I really enjoy their house style. Laphroaig misses out mainly because of dodgy presentation. Bruichladdich would've been in my top three if they hadn't discontinued the Laddie 10. Port Charlotte is fantastic though obviously. Cheers 🥃

[@wouterblom7569]

@@WhiskyLockThere is this bloke in France called Serge Valentin (ever heard of him?) who might be in #TeamRefill as well ;-) So a Diageo distillery in your top-3? Tsk! 😂 But I agree with you and I have emptied many an IB Caol Ila, usually with much enjoyment. Excellent spirit!

[@WhiskyLock]

@@wouterblom7569 Serge is a legend. Hardest working liver in the world 😉

[@duncs3850]

Hey there brother, you get a nice shout out in 1stPhilWhisky’s latest video!

[@WhiskyLock]

Nice! Thanks for letting me know. Much appreciated 🙏

[@Ralle_0815]

In Germany at least 59€, whereas the Machir Bay is around 37€...🤔

[@WhiskyLock]

Wow.. I would go with Machir 🥃

[@iony9963]

I had a look on the few opinions including Dramface on this bottle. Is it only me that finds the finish to be very short?

[@WhiskyLock]

I think the freshness of the casks and quality of the finished product are a clear step below what you get from Machir Bay. Obviously 'B Grade' product IMHO. I still enjoy it for the price though. Sadly I noticed that price has gone up to £40 now which makes it harder to justify. But no, not just you 🥃

[@iony9963]

I still enjoy it although not as much as the neck pour.

[@justwhisky]

Sounds decent for the price. Cheers 🥃

[@WhiskyLock]

Absolutely. Can't go wrong with a £35 Kilchoman. Hopefully Loch Gruinart will make its way to America some day. Cheers 🥃

[@welshtoro3256]

Yes....but. Have a look at my comment and see what you think. Is cheap (not so cheap) always the right way to go? Cheers John. WT

[@justwhisky]

@@welshtoro3256 I couldn’t have said it better if I had the time… kept it short and sweet and polite on my end. But like you state With soooo many choices I would likely pass as well…after I held it my hands and walked around the store for 10 minutes and then remember I have a car payment. Cheerio

[@welshtoro3256]

@@justwhisky John, I'm eating my words and have left a follow up comment you might be interested in.

[@justwhisky]

@@welshtoro3256 no need for eating words…I actually agree with you that a bargain price isn’t necessarily a bargain.

[@PaleMischief]

👍🏻🥃😊

[@cantbendknee]

M&S now have a Glenfarclas 10 if you check ocado.

[@WhiskyLock]

Yes! I saw that. I haven't taken the plunge on it because of the odd and slightly miserly 42.5% strength. Sounds like it might be a slight step up from the 40% OB 10yo though and for about the same price 🤷‍♂️

[@cantbendknee]

@@WhiskyLock I'm tempted because I still love Glenfarclas despite not having had anything good from them for a long time. Hopefully there will be some reviews soon.

[@WhiskyLock]

@@cantbendknee sounds like my relationship with Highland Park!

[@cantbendknee]

A few of us in my whisky group are buying this: Thompson Bros 8 Year Old Northern Highland Blended Malt 44.5%

[@WhiskyLock]

@@cantbendknee is that the Tesco Value malt? I absolutely love that label!! I haven't tried it but I recently bought their TB-BSW and I'm extremely impressed.

[@darrenc8776]

Its not just kilchoman its an M&S kilchoman

[@WhiskyLock]

Gold... 😂

[@Jonathan-rz8jk]

Saw this bottle in Carrefour ( France ) 53 euros 🙄

[@WhiskyLock]

That's a fair bit more than we paid in UK. Was it the green label version that was in France a couple of years ago or the white label we just had in the UK? Not sure if it's the same whisky 🤔

[@Jonathan-rz8jk]

Loch gruinart green box was 53 .55 euros @@WhiskyLock