SrirachaSeahawk
Kilkerran 12 Year
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed
July 30, 2017 (edited April 29, 2022)
The Bottle: "Medieval Minimalism" is how I would describe this one. Very simple clear glass with a label that styles itself in what I can only describe as a gothic fashion. It's direct and very readable, but it comes off as the kind of label that you would have found in Johannes Gutenberg's office.
In the Glass: Light straw. Seeing as how this is very much a non-chill filtered and natural color spirit, what you see is pure, unadulterated whisky... as nature intended.
On the Nose: This is where we really start to see the connection to Springbank, Glengyle's sister distillery. We get that same powerful, savory nose that seems to define the house style for the region. There's a light citrus in there with a touch of barley sugar sweetness hanging around in the back. All very well integrated, all very pleasing. This is not the nose of your grandfather's budget blend, this is the nose of a whisky that wants you to know how well it's been made.
Taste: A mostly savory arrival that takes a couple of seconds before the development really kicks in with the barley sweetness. Bitter, sour and sweet all kind of rolled into one. For me, the flavor follows the nose quite well; though it is sweeter than the nose would initially suggest. The finish is a touch bitter with an astringency that hangs about the tongue in a pleasant way. The best way that I can describe the finish is like that of a savory citrus rind. I know that sounds a little ridiculous, but there's this "thing" going for this whisky that I'm having a hard time finding the right words for. You really will get more and more out of, the more you go back to it.
I find the Kilkerran 12 to be a very well-made and distinctive single malt that is doing a great job of helping to define what it means to be a Campbeltown whisky. It dispenses with flash, pomp and bluster; instead focusing on boatloads of flavor and a natural presentation. I haven't tried any of the earlier "Work in Progress" bottlings, but now that I've seen what the 12 has to say for itself, I just might.
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@SolanaRoots If I’m honest, probably Springbank. The 15 is an all-around knockout and I’ve very much enjoyed some of the more eccentric bottlings.
Tremendous review! Would be interested to know your fave of the Campbeltown distilleries since you’ve given rave reviews to all three
Great review.