Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 5
Whisky: Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 5
Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown
ABV: 57.7%
Cask: Bourbon (85%), Sherry (15%)
Age: N/A (Bottled 3 Nov. 2021)
Nose: Earthy smoke, dry vegetation, burning wood, pine, brine and olives, smoked seafood.
Palate: Medium-bodied, charred fruits, slightly creamy, earthy, dry vegetation, burning pine, hints of brine.
Finish: Long with orchard fruits, oak, and a bit of earthy smoke.
Score: 7 (83)
Mental Image: Strolling on an Autumn Evening
Narrative & Notes: An earthy smoke emerged from piles of burning leaves in the autumn—over time more like chimney smoke with the fragrant scent of burning pine and pecan wood. Hints of brined olives and tapenades with capers arrived with smoked salmon and oysters. Medium-bodied, more charred fruits popped on the palate with a vegetal creaminess further in— clearly a choice between apple or pumpkin pie. The earthiness of the spirit appeared with more autumn leaves and fallen logs covered in wood ear mushrooms arrived, tinged with the sweet smoke of a chimney burning pine wood and a kiss of old tires. The lovely brine from the nose hid further in the background and only gradually emerged as some of the sweeter fruits fell to the back. The finish was long with orchard fruits, oak, and a bit of earthy smoke.
Fantastic stuff— this early batch of the heavily peated malt produced by Glengyle showcased plenty of the earthiness and autumn vibes that I fell in love with from the first batch. I find those notes are not as strong any more, and more of the orchard fruits and creaminess that popped initially here, dominated the more recent batches I have tried. The interplay of tangy brine with some of the earthiness provided a good contrast to the sweeter introduction.
Overall, a pleasant autumn whisky with a lovely evolution; friendlier than some of the very early batches and a bit more tame.
