Whisky: Kilkerran 16 Year

Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown

ABV: 46%

Cask: Bourbon, Sherry

Age: 16 Years (Bottled 1 May 2023)

Nose: Stone fruits, orchard fruits, wispy smoke, dried leaves, earth and ginger, dried dates.

Palate: Medium-bodied, orchard fruits, pastry dough, dried leaves, wispy smoke, mellow earth, herbal tea, firewood, and hints of melon.

Finish: Medium-length with orchard fruits, earth, and stone fruit.

Score: 7 (83)

Mental Image: Autumn Farmer’s Market

Narrative & Notes: Navigating the autumn produce markets— barrels of bright red apples, apricots, and nectarines lent an orchard fruit crispness and stone fruit richness to the air.  Autumn’s wispy smoke and dried leaves developed in the background with dried dates, ginger candies, and occasionally a touch of late-season grill smoke. Medium to light-bodied, on the palate, the flavors were still very autumn with crisp apples, pastry dough, dried leaves, and wispy smoke. A mellow earthiness lingered more in the background with sweet herbal tea, cords of firewood, and a kiss of melon. The finish was medium-length and mellow with orchard fruits, earth, and dried stone fruit.

Mellow and relaxing, this teenage Kilkerran was well-balanced and quaffable— or smooth without any real off notes or spirited prickle.  I found it a touch light for my taste. While the flavors had good presence, I wanted something heftier on the mouthfeel and finish.  That said, this was one of my favorite Kilkerran to pour this week and certainly one of the ones I could see myself coming back to over and over again.

Overall, I love a good autumn flavor profile and this delivered nicely.

Image Credit: Nicks.com.au