A Sherry wood-matured single malt Scotch whisky from the Campbeltown-based Glengyle distillery, presented as part of their 7th Kilkerran Work In Progress. We always look forward to these expressions...
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Much better than Kilkerran WIP 7th bourbon wood. Add a drop of water and enjoy it.
Golden Brown 46% abv. Soft velvet notes on the nose , whisky mellowed on both nose & palette when rested. Finish: Lovely Soft & Smooth Finish. Character - Butter, Sherry, Cream, Vanilla, Apple and perhaps a hint of Coffee. Tasting it alongside recently purchased Kilkerran Work In Progress 7th Release - Bourbon Wood it was a complete contrast where apple and bourbon notes dominated giving the Bourbon Cask a touch more character and individuality. No surprise really that the Kilkerran 12 Year Old first core release has a 2/3 Bourbon to 1/3 Sherry Cask combination. Released at 46% it is going to be a joy to compare all three in a combined tasting to come.
Oops, forgot the score. was enjoying it too much
Nice to see some distilleries starting up rather than closing (or going silent - silly phrase). I like West Highland malt (e.g. Oban DE - stands for DE-licious) and the less pungent Islay malts (Bunahabhain, Bowmore) and am also a big fan of the Springbank 15. So, since I couldn't wait any longer for the Kilkerran 12 due out later this year, I snapped up the last bottle of this at my local supplier. The first taste was a disappointment - way too sharp. Strong sherry (no surprise) but too much burn, not enough malt and the fruit flavours didn't develop much. Now the bottle's been open a couple of days it is mellowing out nicely. Today, the oakiness sits very comfortingly on the tongue and those sherry notes are full bodied and offset by some delightful peach and raisin flavours. The tinge of sea salt comes out nicely as the finish develops like an unfurling flower with long lingering creamy sherry and honey notes tinged with a hint of smoke. I'm really looking forward to the first Kilkerran 12 but they better not bottle it at 40%. 43% is minimum but 46% would be better. Oh, and no chill filtration please.
