Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength Batches 3, 4 & 5

Kilkerran has definitely been one of the single malts I've have purchased the most of over the number of years ever since their core 12 year old expression first came on the scene. I was very fortunate to still be able to get access to most Springbank releases even during the Covid madness days, so I wasn't really just trying to scratch a Campbeltown itch. Rather I had definitely developed an affiliation for what was coming out of the Glengyle distillery.

Pair this with the fact that Kilkerran malts were providing excellent quality at very reasonable prices, delving deep into the brand was a no brainer for me, especially when the 8 year old cask strength expressions began to be released. I missed out on the first two 8 year CS releases but have been fairly consistently purchasing them ever since.

As there are three sets of notes today there's no long winded intro other than to say that the photo's are of varying quality and all these bottles were bought through Fairley's Wines in Coleraine.

Let's Taste!

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 3 56.5%

2018 release.

Nose: The bourbon casks have worked well here – barley sugar, toffee, vanilla. Pineapple cubes, melon and banana. Lanolin & grist. Some farmyard funk and new leather plus a salty overtone too. Light peat wisps too. Water brings out cinnamon, more pineapple and leather.

Palate: A good mouthfeel – toffee, malt, vanilla custard and lemon bon bon’s. Gentle peat kicks in with grilled pineapple and poached pear. Cream crackers. Chalky minerality, salt lick plus a light eucalyptus note. With water the peat comes through a little stronger with some fresh tobacco leaves and new leather.

Finish: Medium with citrus zest, peat smoke and wood tannins.

Score: 7 out of 10

Overall:  A little sweet, a little tart but very engaging and well balanced with more than enough complexity and intrigue to keep you coming back for more.

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 4 57.1% (£48)

2019 release. Fully matured in recharred oloroso sherry casks. 15,000 btls.

Nose: Full & rich, the sherry casks have made their mark. Rancio, smoked ham, dates, fig rolls and orange marmalade. Soot, milk chocolate, chilli flakes and white pepper. A little kirsch note too. Leather and German smoked cheese. Cinnamon and clove. Water brings out more smokiness, more cherry notes and some copper.

Palate: A soft arrival for the abv but oily and mouth coating. Caramel, buttered popcorn, candied almonds and toasted hazelnuts, dark dried fruit in the form of raisins and dates. Barrel char and mild earthy peat. Ground ginger, chilli flakes and dried redcurrants. Orange zest & milk chocolate. Dirty & oily plus lactic overtones too. Water makes things smokier with a little more chilli heat and dark dried fruit.

Finish: Medium to long length with savoury, meaty notes, a dry nuttiness and red fruit. Wax and engine oil too.

Score: 8 out of 10

Overall: This is simply delicious stuff. Complex and engaging with lots going on in both the nose and palate that will keep you occupied all night with just a single pour.

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 5 56.9% (£55)

2021 release. Fully matured in 1st fill Oloroso

Nose: Smoked pork ribs with a treacle rub. Damp moss, leather and tobacco leaves. A touch of creosote, salt and nuts – hazelnuts and walnuts. Apple tart tartin, dark chocolate and candied oranges, anise & nutmeg. Dunnage & buttered toast. Water brings out stewed red berries, cereal husks and dried hay.

Palate: A mix of deep Oloroso sherry and Campbeltown funk. Burnt sugar, honey roasted fig, marzipan and creosote. Oak, dunnage and a little burnt rubber. Rock pools, blackberry jam and licorice. A little plasticine too. Oranges, anise and cinnamon. Water ups the sweetness and brings out more orange plus a little chilli pepper heat.

Finish: Medium to long. A dirty chimney, dark chocolate bitterness and citrus oils.

Score: 8 out of 10

Overall: Another fantastic 8 year old Kilkerran that seems to revel in conjunction with fortified wines. This, whilst not being a beginners whisky, was stupidly easy to drink but was like the last release, complex and rewarding with great development in both the nose and palate.

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