Kilkerran 8 yo Sherry Cask 2024

 Whisky Review 

Kilkerran 8 yo (cask strength - sherry cask)

(Glengyle distillery, 2024 release) 

ABV: 57.4%

Maturation: Oloroso sherry casks

"Now transported positively to the coast. But whilst there, we have cigars and ash smoke. If this were to be called a cigar malt, I'd be in agreement."

Nose: 

It has a powerful punch on the nose, offering maritime notes alongside the usual Campbeltown funk or peat aroma. Possibly one of the strangest tasting notes I think I've come across, but I'm being transported to an old swimming pool I used to frequent as a child on the coast of Whitley Bay in the North East. I've no idea why, but as I go back again and again with my nose I'm getting this memory and aroma every time. I know I'm not selling it, but that chlorine, heat and warm air is what I'm getting from this. Confused, I conduct a quick Google search to find chlorine contains sodium chloride which is found in nature as rock salt. So the coastal character is certainly prominent for me. Anyway, moving away from the science and swimming pool, I'm getting cherry sweets, caramel and a faint touch of engine oil. 

Taste:

So I've sampled this particular release on a few occasions now. I had very high expectations being a real Kilkerran fan-boy. I was somewhat, not disappointed, but it felt anti-climactic when I first opened the bottle, thinking I preferred the heavily peated and the 16 year old way more than this. I wasn't sure what this was bringing to the party, apart from the standard kilkerran maritime character, which is great don't get me wrong, but as stated, I had high expectations. However, being patient, allowing the bottle to breathe and showing patience with this one, its really developed wonderfully. On the palate your met with an immediate salty coastal wash. I've moved away from the swimming pool aroma and now transported positively to the coast. But whilst there, we have cigars and ash smoke. If this were to be called a cigar malt, I'd be in agreement. Strong tobacco and a touch of spice. Not much fruit showing its presence for me. The finish is dry but long with that ash smoke lingering. My wife (to be) will hate my breath whilst I drink this, I best keep some mints nearby as this is truly lovely!!

Score: 

7/10

This was a really tricky one to score. I hate half scores, I like to commit. But this is as close to between a 7 and an 8 as it gets. Its very very good. Its great value if you are/were able to get it at retail price ~ £60. For a banger of a cask strength Campbeltown whisky in today's market, its 100% worth your time and money, and if you can find it at retail, I'd recommend it. However, is it a 'must buy' or an essential 'grab at all costs?'. No. Is it much better than the more readily available 'heavily peated' range? No, is my answer. I'm really glad to have this dram and I look forward to trying my Kilkerran collection side-by-side sometime, maybe even in a blind drams session to really explore them in more depth. An idea for the future, maybe if I manage to procure the elusive Port Cask release 8 year old which has been on my wanted list for some time now. 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Kilkerran Heavily peated - batch 06

 Whisky Review 

Kilkerran Heavily Peated - batch 06 

(Glengyle distillery) 

ABV: 57.4%

Maturation: ex bourbon and ex sherry

"if you like a smoked, cask strength, complex dram at a decent price, this one is for you!"

Nose: 

There is good balance between the sherry and bourbon cask influence. Those funky, soily, earthy notes are showing prominence along with engine oil, marzipan, grapes and raisins. There isn't much smoke apparent on the nose, but the Campbeltown funk is certainly there. 

Taste:

Thick texture, it gives a coating to the palate. A hit of dried fruits and youthful character. Its very dry and quite bitter, with engine oil again. A little water brings out the maritime character but it doesn't need much at all. Salinity mixed with earthy notes. I'm getting more sherry cask influence on the palate as the sweet tones have taken a back seat, making way for more dried fruits, hazlenut and dark chocolate. The peat smoke finish is wonderful. Heavily Peated? I wouldn't say so. But, its very enjoyable. 

Summary:

This whisky has great depth and complexity. The maritime character is calling out loud enough to gain attention. I'm a Kilkerran fan and this batch 06 heavily peated certainly doesn't disappoint. I think i prefer it without any added water, but either way its a wonderful experience. 

Score: 

7/10

If you like the maritime character of peated Campbeltown whiskies, you will enjoy this. Whilst this is batch 06 and they are now on batch 09, I understand the batch differences are minimal. So if you like a smoked, cask strength, complex dram at a decent price, this one is for you! 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Glen Scotia Mermaid review

    Whisky Review 

Glen Scotia Mermaid 12 year old

Icons of Campbeltown 

RRP: £90

ABV: 54.1%

Maturation: Finished in Palo Cortado sherry casks. 

"There is enough depth and complexity here to keep you wanting to explore further and keep revisiting this fabulous and special dram"

Nose: 

Definitive sea-salt, coastal character with a joyful addition of sweet caramelised apples. Hints of leather, crème brûlée and a touch of spice (cinnamon?).  

Taste:

A combination of sweet and salty notes battle for attention on the palate. More caramelised apples too. Maritime salinity takes over with helpings of seaweed, leather and oak, finished with a dry and wonderful typical Glen Scotia signatory wash of sea salt, smoked meats and honey. This doesnt feel like a peated whisky but the subtle spice and oak influence are providing a terrific balance to the sweetness of the palo cortado sherry. There is enough depth and complexity here to keep you wanting to explore further and keep revisiting this fabulous and special dram. 

Score: 

8/10

This release has easily won me over. It offers a unique, but not overbearing twist to the Glen Scotia maritime character. The palo cortardo finish compliments rather than dominates. A tad expensive in my opinion at £85-90 for a 12 year old, but then whisky prices in general have gone a bit mad. Glen Scotia provide a QR code on the packaging where you scan to watch an artists narrative of what the Icons of Campbeltown story is all about. We also get an age statement, a healthy abv and natural colouring and to be honest, any Campbeltown whisky fan wouldn't be disappointed to have this great dram in their collection. 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Glen Scotia Victoriana - review

  Whisky Review 

Glen Scotia Victoriana (2023)

RRP: £65-75

ABV: 54.2%

Maturation: Heavily charred oak

"Notes of maritime salinity and sea breeze. Very coastal, sweet and inviting"

Nose: 

Sweet on the nose. Vanilla fudge with caramelised sugar. Some notes of maritime salinity and sea breeze. Very coastal, sweet and inviting. I don't get any smoke or peat on the nose here. 

Taste:

Slow to develop on the palate for me, but once it does, the sweetness is the first thing to grab my attention. Some spice and salt are starting to get the tongue tingling and now come the dried fruits and caramel. Something is triggering the memory bank here. I'm getting oysters. I think its the sea salt influence with the added hint of spice is reminding me of having oysters with tabasco hot sauce. 

Summary:

Dry on the finish with a terrific waft of smoke, wood and sea salt. A dram which offers depth and complexity and a healthy offering of coastal smoky character. 

Score: 

7/10

A very good whisky. Campbeltown character on full display. The Victoriana gains a good reputation amongst the whisky community for a reason. Prices have started to creep up for this bottle, possibly as a result of its growing popularity and this has been factored into my personal scoring here. It's not quite enough for an 8 as its not a show-stopper and the price would put me off a re-purchase unless found in a healthy sale, but its got enough character and ticks too many of the boxes to be considered any lower than a 7. Lets agree on a high 7! :)

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Springbank 10 review

  Whisky Review 

Springbank 10

ABV: 46%

Maturation: bourbon and sherry

"The ash smoke with sea salt character is simply quite exceptional"

Nose: 

An explosion of fruit, honey/syrup and maritime sea notes. Eyebrows already raised, I go back in and there's more to be found. Subtle oak influence with coffee beans and ash, like an old bonfire which toasted marshmallows a few ago, leaving its remnants of ash smoke, sugar and corn syrup. Very inviting start.....

Taste:

A thick coating on the mouth, surprising for the loa ABV, but the reputational quality of Springbank is shining through early. A burst of tropical fruits fight for superiority. Hints of black pepper and syrup are fighting for attention. That ash peat influence seems to be calibrated at the perfect amount as the liquid vanishes with a dry, smoky and long enjoyable finish. For those with a sweet tooth like me, it invites you back in for a return of the fruity sugar rush again. The ash smoke with sea salt character is simply quite exceptional. 

Summary:

Springbank get A LOT of hype amongst whisky geeks and its for good reason. They're a distillery which choose quality over quantity, which leads to extreme competition regarding any release of stock. This is understandable to whisky connoisseurs who want to enjoy its liquid. However, it also leads to people recognising how to make a 'quick-buck', and flipping their purchase onto secondary markets for anywhere up to x4 the price they paid. And whisky fans are paying it!  This isn't Springbank's fault of course, but its pushing many whisky collectors who want to open and enjoy their bottles into searching for other distillery offerings. 

Score: 

9/10

Rant over and back to the whisky. It's bloody good!! Its unique and its quality shines through. I wouldn't break the bank to get it, and your best bet is auction sites online where flippers are occasionally cashing in on their 'investments'. I paid £60 for mine via a popular whisky shop in Aberdeen, which sold out in minutes. 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only.