Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 5

Review by: Raygun

This is one of those that everyone seems to be more enthusiastic about than I am. Not that I’m anti-Kilkerran at all. Enjoyed the batches of the 8 CS I’ve tried, as well as a wonderful oloroso single cask. Oddly, still haven’t gotten around to the 12 or 16. A previous batch of the heavily peated didn’t work for me, though I know lots of people like it. So I’m giving it another try. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 10 minutes. 

Distillery: Kilkerran (Glengyle)

Bottler: Kilkerran (Glengyle)

Region/style: Campbeltown single malt Scotch

ABV: 57.7%. Cask strength

Age: NAS. Released in March 2021. 

Cask type: 85% bourbon, 15% sherry (refill, it appears).

Color: 0.3 pale gold. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

Price: Around $100

Nose: Interesting peat. A vegetal aroma reminiscent of Ledaig, or even—dare I say—weed. Not as skunky though. Romaine lettuce. Shortbread, lemon, and some grilled seafood.   

Palate: Whoa, that’s lemony. Maybe too lemony. Quite briny, in a clean, oceany way. Shortbread. Not getting much of the vegetal flavor here. Some white wine crispness. Grilled fish. A bit of machine shop grime. 

Finish: Charcoal smoke, grilled fish, lemon (but toned down). A touch of weed-like flavor here too. Some caramel comes out. Gets peppery too, with more machine shop. 

Conclusion: Better than the first batch, but I’m still missing the hype on these. I’ve heard them compared to Octomore, and I can’t see that at all. I don’t know the ppm, but I don’t think this is anything like Octomore. It’s a nice enough young coastal peated dram. I’d rather have an 8 CS personally. Or most Ledaigs. 

Buy a bottle? I’ll leave it to those who enjoy it more.

Score: 77

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
  • 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

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