A successful Kilkerran 8 years old
bourbon matured
The Campbeltown Malts Festival is well underway, but this is also our monthly regular Campbeltown Wednesday and we taste a new expression. The Kilkerran 8 years old bottlings are making quite some waves among enthusiasts. I have started buying the yearly expressions myself too, as they are great value for money and just sheer entertainment. Last year was a sherry infused dirty bomb, this year we are back to bourbon casks. Diving in!
Kilkerran 8 years old, bottled at 55,6 % abv
First things first: Batch 11 already of the 8 years old. Bourbon cask matured. I could not find information of the size of the batch. Last year’s sherry was put in 13.500 bottles, so I would not be surprised it this gets near to that amount. Bottled on 18 November 2024.
Upon Sipping: High expectations since the many Whiskybase reviews already christened this “the best 8 years old ever bottled”. For sure, it is very fresh and drenched in vanilla, lemons and limestone, a deadly combination for perfection if we put Campbeltown whisky under the microscope! The limestone-vanilla combination pleases me most. When you have such amazing spirit to work with, it is almost a crime to put it into anything else but bourbon casks. And this is me saying that, after loving the funky sherry version of last year so much.
On the palate, this most recent addition to the Kilkerran 8 year old batches is very soft and gentle, only to surprise you on the finish with an almost peaty tang. Vanilla, white fruit, lemons, a nice bitter hint too, but on the finish is has a maritime signature that really adds another level. It reaches amazing balance too, since in the distance you can predict how the fruity notes are starting to take over. Having tasted some longer matured Kilkerran expressions during my visit to Campbeltown in January 2025, you can really draw a line from this young one to the older, much fruitier expressions. With water, the overall impact of my notes is just enlarged.
Word to the Wise: Beautiful stuff once again from Kilkerran. Much more mature than the humble 8 years would suggest. With the current core range, Kilkerran can stand on its own two feet in being a proud Campbeltown single malt whisky.
Score: 88 points.