Review #240 - Kilkerran 16 Year
From Glengyle Distillery, we have the Kilkerran single malt brand. Today, we're taking a look at their 16 year old whisky, supposedly with a majority of ex-bourbon maturation, as well as a bit of ex-sherry cask influence. Glengyle gives us the quality specs, like its sister distillery, Springbank: 46% ABV for the strength, and there's no artificial coloring or chill filtration used.
Kilkerran 16 Year
Scotland/Campbeltown - Single Malt
Price Paid: USD 125 (2022)
Current Locally Available Price: USD 130 (2024)
Age Statement: 16 Years
Strength: 46% ABV
Cask Makeup: 75% ex-bourbon casks, 25% ex-sherry casks
Details: Not chill filtered, no color added; 2021 release
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 4 times over 6 months; bottles at 100%, 80% (blind tasting), 70%, and 60% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Spirit-forward - crisp, light and slightly dry, with oak, vanilla, and white pepper. There's a soft funk, and then we move to exotic guava, cream, agave, and a bit of a yeasty note. Very light peat smoke wafts in, and we get hints of melon, orange fruit, and hay; overall, quite subtle, even delicate.
Palate: Nice, honeyed, moderate richness, but still subtle. Lots of melon, watermelon, and a sharp fruit like lemon preserve; there's a spiced side with clove, anise, a hint of polished wood, and some malt. In the background, layers of musty moss and cellar funk linger, but those are quite subtle. The mouthfeel has a medium thickness.
Finish: Medium length, subtle and complex; vanilla bean, anise, and white pepper add a baking element, while sweet melon and lemon give us lingering notes of fruit. Oak is mild, and it becomes more perfumed with time.
Final Note: A very good single malt, if a little bit subtle overall, at least for this 2021 bottling. It's definitely bourbon cask-forward, with nice tropical fruit notes and baking spice, and the level of peat is very soft; flavors aren't too punchy in general, but it's quite an elegant drink.
In terms of value - this is a moderately expensive single malt for its age statement here is the US; any Springbank or Kilkerran product ends up with a bit of a markup after the importation, distribution, and retail processes, as the true 'value' and desirability of these single malts is well known. Because of that, value is just okay - a good single malt, but there's more flavor available elsewhere for $130.
Our Average Rating: 7.6 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 6.07
