Richard-ModernDrinking
Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch #1
Single Malt — Campeltown, Scotland
Reviewed
October 6, 2019 (edited July 21, 2020)
I didn’t think much of this when I opened the bottle a couple of weeks ago with @PBMichiganWolverine but a second tasting proved more rewarding. The nose combines a Springbank-like funk with a sprinkle of peat and a hint of sherry, though it doesn’t survive the water you’ll need to add before drinking. Neat, this powerful whisky is too searing on the throat to enjoy. Knocked back to 50%, it still tastes unbalanced at first: the dirty peat doesn’t feel well integrated with the Kilkerran spirit, which in its un-peated form is one of the best new whiskies of the century. Give it some time, though, and the mix of funk, peat and a sherry-tinged finish will coalesce into a more enjoyable harmony. It’s still very much a work in progress but even in its first iteration worth a taste or two.
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
@cascode fair point
@jamwheeler @Richard-ModernDrinking Glengyle is essentially a subsidiary of Springbank, and their malted barley is exclusively lightly peated and produced at the Springbank floor maltings. Up to now they have only used the one kilning strategy, but there's no reason they couldn't use the same malt that Springbank produces for Hazelburn and make unpeated spirit. Glengyle does indeed only operate occasionally, basically when Springbank is down for maintenance or there is a pause in production the staff walks two blocks down the street and runs Glengyle for a spell.
@Richard-ModernDrinking okay thats what I thought the only reason i asked it bc you original comment, which I enjoy reading, mentioned that there was.
@jamwheeler They do not. I think the distillery only operates for part of the year, so may be wishful thinking to expect much more from them, as lovely as that would be.
@Richard-ModernDrinking is there an un-peated kilkerran? the 12 is lightly peated, so much so its hard to notice especially for a peat head but I still detect it on the finish, but I don't know of any un-peated ones. I would be interested to try an un-peated
@cascode Wow it does indeed. I've only bought more than 2 bottles of 1 thing and that's the Glendronach 18. It'll definitely be next on my purchase list!
@Soba45 The Kilkerran 12 immediately joined the ranks of dependable good value malts in that price range (Springbank 10, Ardbeg 10, etc. etc.) I bought 2 bottles immediately after my first tasting and over the last two years I’ve purchased 4 bottles. That says it all.
@Soba45 It’s superb. I should really buy another bottle. The Works in Progress editions that preceded it were also great - I have five of that series.
@Soba45 let me know what you think—-
@PBMichiganWolverine Ah high praise! it's under $50USD here Ib think as well. You've made up my mind.. thanks :-)
@Soba45 I bought that for barely $60USD from what I remember. As soon as I had it, I quickly bought one more. One of the few times I immediately did a repeat purchase ( only other times were with Ardbeg 10, Lag16, and Yamazaki 18...back when Yamazaki 18 was $80)
@PBMichiganWolverine I think it's one I need to get a bottle of sometime. Very reasonably priced..Springbank ethos coming though :-)
@Soba45 personally, I loved it. Bringing their first to the market as a 12yr old, and making it affordable and tasty—-who am I to complain?
@Richard-ModernDrinking @PBMichiganWolverine Out of interest what did guys think of the std 12 year statement?
Maybe a bit of oxidation helps? We had just opened it, probably didn’t allow it to breathe as much as it needs.