Whisky: Kilkerran Heavily Peated "Peat in Progress Batch 1"

Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown

ABV: 59.3%

Cask: Bourbon (55%), Sherry (45%)

Age: N/A (Bottled 2019)

Nose: Earth and smoke with charred vegetation, dried grass, ash and tar, brine and kelp, and smoked fish.

Palate: Medium-bodied, crisp citrus, smoked seafood, tar, earth, burning coconut husk, dried grass; pepper and charred lemon at the end.

Finish: Medium to long with charred citrus, earth, and burnt grass.

Score: 6-7 (80)

Mental Image: The Magical Umu

Narrative & Notes: A smoldering earthen oven opened to reveal its roasted and steamed delights wrapped in banana leaves.  The aroma was earthy with wispy smoke, charred vegetation, and burlap sacks. Earth and ash mingled with a touch of tar, briny kelp, and dried grass as smoked swordfish arrived.  Medium-bodied with crisp citrus over smoked tako, swordfish, and a briny ogo, or seaweed pop. Maritime delights mixed with earthier notions of smoldering earthen ovens, tar, ginger, burning coconut husks, and dried grass. A touch of pepper and charred lemons lingered at the end.  The finish was medium to long with charred citrus, earth, and burnt grass.

This was the first Kilkerran I ever tried— a blind buy when I saw the bottle was about $60 and thought it would be fun to try something heavily peated from Campbeltown.  I have tried a lot of Kilkerran since and bought a couple of other bottles, most of which I have given away to friends, but I always return to this one happily.

Overall, a rambunctious youngster with a lot to love. While the next couple of releases after this were better with richer, more balanced, and clearer flavor elements, I love the roughness of this malt.