Kilkerran 8 Year Reviews - Cask Strength Sherry Matured (Batch 9) and Cask Strength Bourbon Matured (Batch 8)
Background
It’s time for yet another Campbeltown review, facilitated once again by the incomparable photographer and reviewer Rye Am Legend. After reviewing a pair of Hazelburn releases last go around, This time we’re checking in on two eight year Kilkerran’s: Batch 9 of the Sherry Cask Matured and Batch 8 of the Bourbon Cask Matured. Some quick Kilkerran fun facts before we dive into the notes:
They use local, Crosshill Loch water throughout their production process.
Malting happens at neighboring Springbank distillery, as does maturation and bottling.
Their first casks were laid down in 2004, which means their oldest stocks are approaching 20 years.
And with that, let's review these two pours!
Kilkerran 8 Year Cask Strength Sherry Cask Matured - Batch 9 (8 Years, 57.5%)
Nose: Mixed berry compote on the nose, but it’s married with an interesting, earthy, umami note. Almost mushroomy.
Palate: Blueberry sauce and rich leather. A light bodied but rich tobacco smokiness permeates the palate. Dark chocolate as well, with an oily texture.
Finish: That umami sensation is back, shiitake mushrooms alongside sea salt minerality. All of that co-exists nicely with some hints of charred berries.
Very Good (6/10)
Overall: It’s a nice dram that nonetheless does not blow me away. It has a fun complexity of flavor and well integrated peat that blends nicely with the sherry. But it inherits none of the sherry’s rich mouthfeel or viscosity, instead just occasional hints of berries. All in all, still an enjoyable pour.
Kilkerran 8 Year Cask Strength Bourbon Cask Matured - Batch 8 (8 Years, 55.8%)
Nose: Lemon shortbread cookies. Zesty tart citrus that is well integrated with vanilla baked goods.
Palate: Oh wow, creamy! I’m not sure if salted caramel crème brulee is a thing, but that’s what this is giving me. More vanilla and lemon notes, extra toasty, and well integrated with some salinity.
Finish: More lemon! Toasted oak, smoky dried seaweed, and floral notes. It’s a little on the dry side, but it still leaves a nice bright impression.
Great (7/10)
Overall: I really love the creamy, crème brulee meets lemon zest palate. It’s rich with flavor yet still a bit briny and earthy. The nose too is quite inviting, which you can probably surmise means my nits to pick are on the finish. It’s just a little dry, but still the overall bright citrus notes throughout have me thinking this would be a really nice summer dram.
