Telex
Kilkerran 12 Year
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed
September 19, 2017 (edited March 29, 2020)
Thanks to Dreaming of Islay for the sample. Hmmm! This is different than anything else I've ever tried. Nose has pleasant light fruit elements (apple/pear) with a floral hue, but balanced. The peat comes in from the side. On the palate, wow, this is also balanced, most likely due to the fact that they did this justice getting this to 46% ABV. I typically wouldn't like floral notes to a whisky, but the slight smokiness of this with its masterful orchestra of the salty brine seems to give you a nice experience. I've never tried their "works in progress" offerings, but this would not make me scared to do so. Water on this will probably kill the smoke, unless you want a fruitier taste. The sherried casks might not be up front here, but I do think that they play an important support role. My God, the buttery finish is neverending, I adore it! Glengyle being a sister distillery to the outstanding Springbank does not surprise me, but can someone please tell me why this one was discontinued? I hope it's just going to be replaced? The theme to this dram should be "This Modern Love" by Bloc Party, and thanks to @SolanaRoots for the track recommendation!
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I don’t know if Kilchoman can be newcomer any more. They have 10 yr olds out now. I think the newcomers are the Ailsa Bays and Wolfburms, which just placed out their first 3 yr olds
Good call SolanaRoots! I will amend the review with that =D
Another excellent review but another that needs your usual music track tag :) You’re the expert, but can I nominate ‘This Modern Love’ by Bloc Party? Cheers!
PS - Glengyle (Kilkerran) production is a bit out of kilter at the moment, with the big refurbishment going on at Springbank. I think the 8 year cask strength has replaced the 12 year for the moment, but more standard 12 year expressions, and older, will be coming. I saw many, many Kilkerran barrels in the dunnage at Springbank just purring silently and awaiting the day :)
Great review. My distinct impression was that Springbank started the Glengyle distillery as an insurance policy against the day their equipment needs a serious overhaul. The operation certainly feels like a sort of mini-Springbank (which is a compliment). The equipment may be different but the malt comes from Springbank, all the staff are from Springbank, and the whole ethos of whisky making is the same. It also guarantees a distinct whisky region status my making up the third Campbeltown distillery.
Great review, Telex. Kilkerran and Kilchoman are both relatively newcomers to the scotch industry and judging by their earliest stuff they will both be big time players once their stuff gets some serious age on it. I, for one, am anxiously awaiting that day. Cheers.