Kilkerran 12 Year

Nose: good amount of peat, vanilla, floral, oak, and brine Taste: same as nose, some peat, oak follow with brine, little pepper and hints of vanilla. Quite oily, thin bodied. Hmm maybe some citrus. The taste is simple yet so beautiful crafted. Aftertaste: medium long

Nose: A full and satisfying nose that initially presents a soft citrus fragrance followed immediately by a waft of smoke blowing in on a sea breeze. There are earthy, mineral and maritime aromas that are balanced by honey, lemon, vanilla and soft smoke. There’s also a little anise and iodine as well, but faint - just enough to add body but not dominate. Palate: A lovely peaty and slightly salty arrival. Not briny, just seasoned with salt to the right degree so the smoke gains a modest meaty texture. A little pepper that is balanced by vanilla and sweet malt and fruity flavours. Finish: Long. Salty/sweet and gently smoky with a touch of spice. Assertive but friendly, this whisky reminds me a little of Clynelish or Benromach, but most of all of its “godparent” – Springbank. There is the same earthy, vegetal, marine quality but it does this in its own way and is certainly not derivative. If Springbank burned down tomorrow and all we had was Glengyle I’d be heartbroken, but not in despair. Probably the most noticeable thing about this whisky (apart from how much Springbank DNA it contains) is its coherence and integration. There is a well-defined character to it that is present right throughout the experience, from first nosing to the lingering finish. It’s something that few whiskies can boast they have achieved, certainly not at the age of 12 years, and to cap it all it is reasonably priced, un-chillfiltered, natural colour and 46% abv. I first tasted this at a Sydney whisky shop tasting session in February 2017 and immediately bought 2 bottles. I would have bought a case but their stock was limited. If your taste runs to Springbank, Craigellachie, Clynelish, Benromach, Mortlach or anything similar then seek out a bottle of this. It is a brilliant contemporary take on the Springbank / Longrow style and you will not be disappointed. Easily equivalent in quality to Springbank 10 year old, so I'm giving it the same score, just a fraction short of 5 stars. This is the first mature expression from a distillery, and a marque, that is going to be a modern classic. You read it here first. "Excellent" : 89/100 (4.75 stars)

Massive fan, a little strong on the palate upfront but it softens and the flavours of biscuits and vanilla are quite sublime. Well worth trying