Longrow 18 (2024 Release) & Kilkerran 17 Year Old Single Cask (2024)

Longrow 18 (2024 Release)

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £110.00

The 2024 release of Longrow 18 has been matured in 90% sherry casks, and 10% port casks.

Nose

The nose opens with a burst of berries, fresh cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, they jump out of the glass. Alongside these sit classic Campbeltown aromas of salt water, vanilla fondant, dunnage funk and some grilled lemon too. It's a vibrant nose, not shy at all. We're also finding beach bonfire smoke, albeit lighter than expected from the punchy Longrow peat character, alongside blackcurrant jam and brandy snaps. Well balanced alcohol makes this a pleasure to sit with and nose.

Palate

The palate opens with a sweet and sour note of lemon and caster sugar, moving into a punch of salt water, earthy peat smoke and blueberry muffins. The mouthfeel is really nice here, there's a lovely viscosity as it coats your mouth, and the finish does linger for a fairly long while with mostly roasted coffee beans, milk chocolate and a handful of dry earth and twigs. Going back, we're finding smoked plums, toffee, crushed peppercorns and sweet vanilla cream. There's a tingle of spice in the background but everything seems very well integrated. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has a bit more vanilla coming through upfront, alongside liquorice, blackcurrants and plums. It feels a bit softer than before, maybe a touch more restrained and a touch simpler. The smoke is still there, and it's still balanced nicely, but we'd avoid adding any water as it doesn't need it.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate loses a bit of the mouthfeel we enjoyed before, and begins with more sour notes, sour plums, limeade, moving into a whack of peat smoke and then an unexpected hit of sugary sweetness on the finish. It's still got lots of complexity, and the water seems to have enhanced the sweet and sour notes, but we preferred it neat.

Conclusion

This is probably our favourite Longrow 18 that we can remember. It's complex, layered and balanced, with sweet, salty, sour, smoky and bitter flavours and aromas all coming together as one. The 90% sherry in the mix hasn't overpowered the spirit character which was a concern before trying. It's just a bloody great dram. 

Score: 8.5/10

Value

Longrow 18yo is significantly cheaper than most of its rivals offerings. It also incredibly hard to get.

Kilkerran 17 Year Old Single Cask (2024)

Region: Campbeltown

ABV: 58.5%

Price: £115.00 

This Kilkerran bottling was specifically selected and bottled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of Glengyle Distillery in 2004. Distilled in May 2007 and bottled in June 2024, this whisky matured for 17 years in a refill sherry hogshead. A total of 288 bottles were produced for the Swedish market.

Nose

The nose opens with fairly light aromas of raspberry ripple ice cream, sherbet, zingy lime-flavoured sweeties, foam bananas, alongside lighter caramel and fudge aromas. There's a bit of a musty, dunnage warehouse aroma appearing too, alongside a bit of light smoke too. The alcohol can be a bit peppery in places, it's a bit stronger than we'd expect for a 17yo however there's enough going on to cover that up. Going back after some time and air reveals vanilla custard doughnuts and candy corn.

Palate

The palate has a real hit of dark chocolate upfront, complimented by boozy cherries, freshly turned earth, cinder toffee and rich vanilla bean custard. The dram has a nice, silky mouthfeel, and a finish that lingers for a good length with black pepper, raspberry coulis, cocoa nibs and a bit of lime zest right at the end. Going back, we're finding filter coffee, toasted hazelnuts, a bit of leather and some warm honey. It's a touch spicy on the mid palate and finish, but still quite drinkable neat. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has a bit more spirit forward aroma, more barley sugars, and a bit more raw, sawn wood aromas. Less sherry influence than before, however there's something quite floral that's appeared, alongside more honeyed, vanilla and soft peach aromas. Less interesting for us personally, it's lost a bit of complexity.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the chocolatey upfront flavour, however the cherries feel a bit lost and we're finding more earthy smoke starting to appear. There's still a fizzy, zestiness about the the dram, and the mouthfeel and finish are broadly the same. Some of the pepperiness does mellow out, so it's personal preference as whether to add water or not.

Conclusion

A great quality dram, just what we'd expect from Glengyle. Soft sherry flavours and aromas meld well with the slightly smoky spirit to create something quite harmonious. Our only critique is the spice can be a bit much in places, but it's very enjoyable regardless. 

Score: 8/10

Value

Sold out instantly and most will never get near one at RRP.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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