Kilkerran Heavily Peated from Glengyle distillery is a whisky that we have regularly (check Batch #3 and Batch #4). The 2024 release comes from 90% ex-bourbon casks and 10% ex-sherry casks.
Kilkerran Heavily Peated (57,8%, OB 2024, ref. 24/32)
Nose: the dominance of bourbon oak gives it a very clean profile. Strong peat with a generous creamy note, think cream soda with shortbread and hints of vanilla cream. Then hints of banana cake, some coconut aromas. After a while also a honeyed, lightly tropical hint that reminds me of modern Bowmore production. Some coastal elements in the background.
Mouth: same echoes of Bowmore in my opinion, albeit with a firmer peaty footprint. Hints of mango, lime and pink grapefruit, along with honey. Then it moves to caramel before the charred herbs make it drier and a tad harsher. Gets a little woody, with a charred and tannic edge.
Finish: long loasting, with more charred notes, fading peat smoke, black peppercorns and charred rosemary.
A good option if you’re into heavily peated Campbeltown whisky. The nice fruitiness of this release is a positive surprise, in my opinion. Available from The Whisky Exchange for instance, and yet to arrive in continental European shops.