Kilkerran 12 Year

I finally found some quiet moments this weekend allowing me to really sit to experience the dram. Unfortunately, finding pensive moments seems to getting tougher. But, if you are able to find a dram and a moment, grab the opportunity. (Thank you Pranay for that opportunity). A lightly golden liquid holds within it a nose that is floral light with a marine brine quality accompanied with a bit of malt, honey, green tea, orange citrus, and lightly toasted marshmallows. Thoroughly inviting, enticing you to the next level of the experience: the taste. An initial blast of heat and spice, which takes you by surprise given the gentleness of the nose. Once past the blast, a clean and light body delivers a sweet touch of vanilla and butterscotch which is countered with by fresh ginger, brine, oak and orange zest. Slowly, given the time, the butterscotch sweetness strengthens. A dynamic and lively body. This dance eventually ends and leaves and long and dry mouth tingling with white pepper, ginger and orange coated, lightly, with butterscotch. An eloquent and well crafted whisky. Enjoyable and sophisticatedly pleasant. The thin body makes it seemingly simple, however there is a great deal happening. Ideal as summer sipper on a back porch watching a slow sunset (at least what I envision). [Dry glass: Sawdust][90/100][Tasted: 1/22/17]

2/17 Block: pleasant, pleading, crisp, not amazing but nice Ralfy: spirit driven nose, cask not dominant. Nippy nose, slightly medicinal and marine and chimney charcoal, fresh fruit. Lemon, lemon candy. TASTE: crisp, juicy intense arrival, honey, little toffee, salty. Devt = complex. black pepper oil. Finish - camomile, apple, plum, pickled ginger. Concentrated flavor. 90/100

It's time to review something from Campeltown's newest, old distillery: Kilkerran 12 year. This is their first, traditionally aged statement whisky since reopening the Glengyle Distillery back in 2004. Most of their releases to this point have been labeled "Work In Progress" and were experimental bottlings finished in bourbon, sherry or port wine casks. It's non-chill filtered and comes in at 92 proof. I'm not sure if this bottle is available stateside yet or what the price point may be. This 2oz sample was generously supplied by Pranay. Thanks again. On the nose, there's the usual island whisky suspects: salt, brine and a tiny bit of peat. There's loads of vanilla, oak and a beautiful marshmallow note. The smell is delightful and very inviting. The first sip reveals a nice citrus bite followed closely by biscuity, dry malt. There's a delicious wash of butterscotch and vanilla mid-sip with a very faint smokiness. The finish is long and a bit hot, oily with a lingering lemony citrus note. It's quite tasty. Like I said, I'm not sure if this is available in the US yet, but if it is and you can pick up a bottle for a reasonable amount ($45-60) I say give it a try. I think I'm gonna keep my eye out for some of the Work In Progress bottles and give a few of them a try. Cheers, my friends

In a time that most distilleries are watering down their product to meet demand and make hay, so to speak. Kilkerran are new players in the game. Owned by Springbank family, you know quality is important but also they need to get their foot in the door of the market and establish they have a good product. They have done this by releasing an incredible whisky at a very low price. Future releases will unlikely be this good of value. It is a very simple, yet complex and old school whisky. I get lots of citrus, wax, butter on Toast and after a bit of time the fruits come through. Just enough peat to make things interesting. Buy it

I've heard really good things from this distillery, and yes....I can say it's all true. I loved this, right up there with Springbank 10. It's a different profile than its Campbeltown brethren, but just as good. I get a faint citrus aroma, then followed by a tsunami of flavor on the palette. I get brine soaked ship ropes, coal, and citrus. I get then some floral---specifically jasmine. The finish is long and satisfying, lingers a citrusy-briny trail. I think it's fr $60-70...I would say definitely worth it at that price.

Another bottle purchased almost solely on the basis of the buzz surrounding it's release. It hits all the right notes for me - the brine & cereal notes I associate with Springbank, with some citrus and the ubiquitous "dried fruit". Pepper dominates the finish, but not unpleasantly so. It didn't quite live up to the hype for me, but perhaps that will change as I get further into the bottle. If you dig Springbank's usual bottles, Kilkerran 12 will feel familiar.