Tonight’s dram was the Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength Oloroso Cask (2024), and it surprised me. I expected the usual Oloroso notes—raisins, dried fruit, maybe Christmas cake. Instead, this whisky took me in a completely different direction. Nose: The first thing that hit me was umami. Soy sauce, smoked pork, leather, and a little tobacco. After a few drops of water, some briny olive notes appeared along with just enough salted caramel to soften the edges, but the savory character never disappeared. Palate: Rich and oily with a beautiful mouthfeel. Herbal, peppery, and gently smoky. Black pepper became more noticeable with water, and the sweetness stayed in the background. Instead of a sweet sherry bomb, it reminded me more of dark chocolate with flaky sea salt. Finish: Long, dry, and lingering. Smoke, a touch of walnut skin, oak, and that salty Campbeltown character that keeps inviting another sip. This whisky Sometimes is about savory depth, spice, salinity, and texture. It felt less like a dessert and more like sitting around a table with good cured meats, olives, and dark chocolate. Slàinte.