Kilkerran is the whisky produced at Glengyle distillery, opened in 2004 and the latest in Campbeltown. Every year since 2009 they’re releasing a ‘Work In Progress’ bottling.
The 6th batch is 10 years old and comes in sherry wood and bourbon wood versions. This year’s labels are pink.
Kilkerran ‘Work In Progress’ 10 yo Sherry Wood (46%, OB 2014, Batch #6)
Nose: not extremely expressive, I would say, purely revolving around sugared cereals at first. It’s coastal and oily, so quite typically Campbeltown so far. A fairly light sherry influence of red berries and a caramelized nut sweetness. Subtle leafy notes. Some yeasty touches, something metallic too.
Mouth: dry and quite austere. The leafy notes are back, together with some bitter oranges and grapefruit peel. Herbal notes and hints of rubbery peat. Oily notes and brine. Pepper. Just a delicate sweet edge to take away some harshness.
Finish: medium long, on walnuts and ashes?
This Kilkerran has a pleasantly unmodern profile, but I think it’s still more on the interesting side, rather than being thoroughly pleasant. Around € 45.
Score: 82/100