The talk of the (Campbel)town: Kilkerran 16 years old
Talk about the whisky of 2025 that creates a lot of chatter, and this Kilkerran 16 years old that we taste today must be on the list. Is it only because of the deep, dark colour of the liquid, certainly compared to earlier releases? Or is there more at play? Here at Long Pour Amour, we finally got our sample thanks to the ever sharing whisky enthusiasts (big shoutout to them!) so we can now provide tasting notes. Next week, we return with our regular monthly Campbeltown Wednesday.
Kilkerran 16 years old, bottled at 46 % abv
First things first: The 2025 edition in a tall bottle was bottled on 16 June and was made up out of 60 % bourbon casks and 40 % sherry casks.
Upon Sipping: Here we go with this very much talked about whisky from the Glengyle Distillery next door to Springbank. The balance on this expression is exquisite. You get a lot of fruit from the bourbon casks that is nicely tucked away under a blanket of … well, even more fruit! But it also has a serious side, like chilly warehouse where the cold of the earthen floor creeps into your feet no matter how thick your shoes are. Most of all, this is blood orange in a glass, with some clove thrown in to create a delightfully warm glass of mulled wine. You could try warming up this Kilkerran 16 years old!
Taking a sip, the soft red and orange fruits take a front seat in the procedure. Mixed with very dry cigar leaves, like one that you have forgotten about and find again in the back of your closet. The reduced abv on this Kilkerran makes it hit a sweet spot too, but the finish still carries a lot of kick. This is an exercise in perfect balance, where I feel the Campbeltown signature that comes from bourbon maturation provides a strong basis for the sherry influence to build upon.
Word to the Wise: This Kilkerran 16 years old makes for a nice contrast with the wild and free 8 years old expression purely matured on sherry. Here, the balance is key in making a tremendous dram, where all elements of the longer maturation make for a whisky to dream over.
Score: 89 points.