It’s been a busy week for us filled with “500 Server Error” and “out of stock” messages, so we’ve only got one review for you today but it’s another big one. We’ve got one of the two Kilkerran 8 year olds that were just released by J&A Mitchell / Glengyle. At the time of writing this we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to bring you a review of the 8 year old sherry cask, the Longrow red, and if the stars align for us the Springbank local barley release.
We say hopefully as most of you will be aware the secondary market for Springbank seems to be increasing exponentially, and the demand means a fair few of you will be in the same boat as us and struggling to even see one of these in stock let alone be able to purchase one.
Kilkerran 8 Year Old Port Casks (2022 Release)
Region: Campbeltown
ABV: 57.9%
Price: £48
This release was matured for 8 years in fresh port pipes.
Nose
On the nose the port influence is noticeable without being overpowering, there’s some grape juice, brandy, and some dried fruit cake. After giving this a little air we find there’s now a buttery note, some dirt, and a little bacon. There’s not a lot of smoke here, but what is reminds us of the smell of cinders from a just extinguished fire. Oh, and of course we’re getting some Campbeltown funk.
Palate
On the palate we’re initially getting some red grapes and cherries, followed by a little ethanol and some warming chilli notes. Air reveals an earthy note here and a slight bitter note in the background. We’re also getting some sweet vanilla (yes, we know this is a port cask), with the smoke here comes across as dried charcoal. The finish is sweet and fruity, but there’s an alcohol bite that lingers on the palate.
Nose (with water)
On the reduced nose the Campbeltown funk remains, but there’s now a mustiness mixed in with it. The smoke is now coming across as cigarette ash. We’re also getting some of the vanilla from the palate on the nose now. Going back to it there’s also some gammon drizzled in a blackberry jus.
Palate (with water)
With water the alcohol bite is there, but much more manageable. The peat is coming across as ash, and we’re getting raisins and chocolate on the palate. The finish is still fruity, but the alcohol bite has gone.
Conclusion
Firstly, this definitely needs a splash of water to tame it. Second, for £48 this is a cracking wee dram, and if you can get this for RRP we’d recommend you jump on it. Currently, we can see this is selling on the secondary market for around £150, and we’d recommend you pass at that price.
We’ve reviewed a fair few Kilkerran releases now and because our scale takes in to consideration price you’ll find several of these have been given the same score. If you’re interested the below is a list of the bottles in order of preference ignoring price.
- Kilkerran 8 year old (Batch 4 - re-charred oloroso sherry casks)
- Cadenheads Kilkerran 12 (57.8%)
- Kilkerran 8 Port Casks (2022)
- Kilkerran Online Tasting Week 2021 5 year old
- Kilkerran 12 year old
We’re currently in the process of picking bottles for the 2nd release of our dram club, if you’d be interested in seeing this included please leave a comment or send us a message.
Score: 8/10
- 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
- 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
- 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
- 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
- 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
- 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
- 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
- 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
- 2 - Pour it out
- 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.
Interested in trying drams like these? We've created the Two Whisky Bros Dram Club to help you get access to high quality, rare whisky by the dram.
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