It may not be the most obvious choice with this hot weather here in the Netherlands (above 30 degrees), but today I’m going to review the Kilkerran 8 year old, Sherry Cask Matured.
I usually drink little whisky with these temperatures anyway. As I prefer something refreshing, like a nice beer or a gin and tonic. And if I do fancy a whisky now, it would not be something like this Kilkerran, but a lighter one that has matured in a bourbon cask.
Although I am pretty up to date with what comes out of Campbeltown, I have tasted not many of these CS editions. The last time I reviewed a Kilkerran 8 year old was the first release in 2017, which was then matured in ex-bourbon casks. In the meantime, several editions have been released, of which in recent years they have mainly been sherry cask editions. A Port Cask Matured was also added this year, but I had to make choices (yes folks, my monthly budget is unfortunately not unlimited), so I will only review the one I have here today.
This Kilkerran has matured in sherry casks and is bottled at 58.1% ABV.
Kilkerran 8 year old tasting notes:
Nose: forest fruits, like blueberries and brambles, followed by figs. Tobacco leaves. Rich honey and caramel fudge. Then dark chocolate and hazelnuts. A note of balsamic vinegar. Later also a touch of leather.
Taste: a trace of smoke. Earl grey tea. The same forest fruits, but this time also black cherries. Tobacco leaves and an earthy note. Dark chocolate. Followed by nutmeg and a pinch of black pepper.
Finish: mid-long with again those forest fruits and the black cherries. Somewhat oaky. Cinnamon and nutmeg.
I had heard from several people that the previous edition was quite sulfury, but that is absolutely not the case with this one. It may not be outstanding, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.
