Kilkerran 12 Years
Glengyle Distillery is one of the few distilleries in Campbeltown. After a long period of closure, it was reopened by Springbank at the beginning of the 21st century. Although Springbank and Glengyle are run as separate companies, in some ways they belong together. Glengyle bottles single malt whiskies under the Kilkerran brand. The 12-years, non-chill-filtered and non-coloured whisky is the current core range.
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Buy on AmazonTasting Notes
Nose
On the nose, there is a sweet smoke that is not overdone. There is also a good amount of oak and a sweet nuttiness, almost like marzipan. Once you get used to the peatiness, the fruity notes of cherries, plums and blueberries come to the fore.
Palate
The first thing that strikes you about Kilkerran is its oiliness. On the palate we find honey, a hint of vanilla and citrus notes. There is also a maritime saltiness, earthy-sweet peat smoke and a touch of oak.
Finish
The finish is medium long, again salty and maritime. The oiliness leaves a pleasant sensation in the throat. We think of a fresh lemon roll.
Thoughts
Marcel 77/100 - (Very good)
Kilkerran 12 shows that Campbeltown is capable of more than just smoky clichés. The combination of sweet nuttiness and maritime freshness is enjoyable, even if the smoke can sometimes be a bit too dominant. For fans of honest, straightforward malts, this is a worthwhile dram.
Sascha 79/100 - (Very good)
The Kilkerran 12 impresses with its balanced interplay of oak, honey, and subtle peat smoke, while the maritime saltiness rounds out its character. Despite a solid structure, the flavor profile feels somewhat unbalanced due to the dominant smoke, which slightly disrupts the harmony.
Value for Money: 4/5 (Good)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that Kilkerran 12 years is non-chillfiltered and non-colored?
Non-chillfiltered means the whisky has not been chilled to remove cloudiness, preserving a more intense and natural flavor and texture. Non-colored indicates that no artificial coloring has been added, so the color comes solely from maturation in the cask.
How does Kilkerran 12 years differ from other Campbeltown whiskies?
Kilkerran 12 years combines the maritime saltiness and earthy peat smoke typical of Campbeltown with pronounced sweet nuttiness and fruity notes like cherries and blueberries. Additionally, it is oily and non-chillfiltered, which gives it a distinctive richness of flavor.
Why is the Glengyle Distillery important for whisky production in Campbeltown?
Glengyle was closed for a long time and was reopened by Springbank in the early 21st century, expanding the whisky offerings in Campbeltown. Although Glengyle and Springbank operate independently, they share resources and expertise, contributing to the region’s diversity and quality.