Whisky: Kilkerran Work in Progress #7 Sherry Wood

Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown

ABV: 46%

Cask: Sherry Wood

Nose: Maritime, meat, and unripened tropical fruits. Barbecue pork belly came to mind with notes of salt, caramelized sugars, and fatty meat. Beyond the initial meatiness, that dram became mellow and maritime with sea breezes, tropical florals, and a slight antiseptic edge. Further in were hints of unripened tropical fruits: green mango, papaya, and green coconut.

Palate: Medium-bodied with fruit, herbs, and salt. Fruity up front with stewed plums, citrus zest, and hints of grilled tropical fruits. Soft and unaggressive, behind the fruit were notes of salt ponds, mineral water, and ginger spice. Herbal tobacco, camphor, and antiseptic notes lingered on the back palate.

Finish: Lingering charred fruit, salt, and a mellow sherry funk.

Score: 6

Mental Image: Shoreside Fallen Fruits

Notes: A mellow and mild Kilkerran, this was not the aggressive flavor bomb I have come to expect from more recent distillery releases. I enjoyed how restrained the sherry influence was and found that this reminded me quite a bit of Laphroaig, but softer and mellower. A feather pillow version of Laphroaig with some of the same phenolic bite, maritime notes, and medicinal undercurrents.

Overall, this Kilkerran was a pleasant and easy-drinking dram with some nice complexity and interesting fruity elements. I thought this dram was a fascinating snapshot of where the distillery was back in 2015 when it was released. The “work in progress” or current “peat in progress” bottles are a lot of fun, and I appreciate that they have been an excellent value in the past. Considering the price of scotch and the growing reputation of Kilkerran, I doubt that will last forever— maybe it is already gone.

Image Credit: whiskyauctioneer.com