A fast cease in Campbeltown for a few of the newest Kilkerran releases. Whereas Batch 11 is mostly known as the primary 2025 launch (since that’s after they grew to become accessible) they have been really bottled Winter 2024.
Kilkerran 8 yo Cask Energy – Bourbon Cask Matured (55,6%, OB 2024, Batch #11, ref. 24/262)
Nostril: chalky and oily, with a coastal salinity and a recent trace of inexperienced apple, rhubarb and candy lemons. Possibly pineapple. Then Chamois leather-based and leafy notes, with hints of muddy water, rapeseed and moist tweed jackets. Mild bready notes and delicate pure vanilla. Mild peat smoke too, after all.
Mouth: properly balanced for such a cool profile at excessive power. Minerals, moist limestone and salt, however the thick oily texture and the sweetness of the bourbon casks makes this so simply quaffable. Candy dough, grapefruit juice and a little bit of black pepper warmth. A number of drops of mezcal too.
End: lengthy and chalky, with extra grapefruits, juniper berries, white pepper and a few bitter natural touches.
Very dependable whisky, yr after yr. It doesn’t cover its youth nevertheless it has that typical Campbeltown funk. The truth is, I feel it’s on the identical stage as Springbank spirit with the benefit of being simpler to search out. Roughly the identical appreciation of the 2023 launch. Obtainable from The Whisky Change as an example.
Kilkerran Closely Peated (57,9%, OB 2024, Batch #11, ref. 24/201)
Nostril: a bit lactic at first (butter milk – not my favorite tasting word), together with a fishy word and lemon balm and dessert. Then freshly mown garden, grapefruits and gooseberries. Positively peated and medicinal however possibly much less closely than anticipated – it’s a chilly model of smoke, together with iodine and hints of lime pickle.
Mouth: cleaner, with a vibrant fruity burst amidst the peat blast. Pineapple, pear and lime, possibly ardour fruits even. Honeyed notes, even a light-weight confectionary edge. Then salty notes come out, in addition to deeper sooty / smoky parts. Brine and smoked fish. Black pepper and ginger, together with drying herbs ultimately.
End: lengthy and briney, on citrus notes, inexperienced banana, peat smoke and minerals.
Whereas additionally predominantly bourbon matured (90% with 10% sherry), this felt much less exact on the nostril. On the palate it was good to see some tropical fruitiness, nevertheless it doesn’t persuade me completely. General a bit behind the 2024 launch. Offered out in most on-line retailers. Rating: 86/100
