Kilkerran 8 Sherry Cask 2019 - 57,1%
Photo taken somewhere in Stuttgart
Kilkerran of Glengyle! It's about time to review this small but incredibly likable distillery, which we personally see reaching the Grand Cru of the whisky world in the near future. Their regular 8 year old is a masterpiece of subtile cask maturation and propably one of the best youngsters one can get for it's money (review to follow). Next stop: Re-charred Oloroso Cask!
Nose
The first impression of the bouquet is dark, rich and kinda opaque. Let's give it some time. After a few minutes we get blackcurrants, sultanas, medjoul dates, walnut creme, burnt bread crust, cookie dough, cinnamon and a some black pepper. The trumpets of Oloroso (so old testament-y) are raging all over the place. This is all very delicate and savoury, but where is the characteristic chalky, zesty and mineral Kilkerran character we love so much?
With water: No significant developpment. Seems we have reached the end of the road.
Palate
The entrance is ultra rich and sweet, with a heavy body and oily texture. The impression from the nose is exactly the same we have on the palate, except for an even higher pepper and cinnamon level. It's really tingeling and a little bit sharp. With water: The sweetness and the smokiness increase, bringing old leather and bacon-wrapped dates.
Palate:
Medium long and very dry, coating the mouth with lemons and some hazelnuts. Nothing to complain about.
Finish
Medium long and very dry, coating the mouth with lemons and some hazelnuts. Nothing to complain about.
Rating
Today, we feel Leonard Cohen singing:"
you want it darker, we kill the flame."
The sherry influence is way over the top here and unfortunately killed most of the Kilkerran DNA. Don't get us wrong, it's a really fine and well done dram, but the minerality, the industrial note and the waxiness we love so much from Kilkerran are just missing. As a teacher of literature would say: This is a bloody good text, but the point is missing.
