Glengyle Distillery Kilkerran Work in Progress Grey Label 2nd Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Please note: Does not come with a gift box.

This is the second release from Springbank's Kilkerran project. Glengyle Distillery was originally built by Campbeltown farmer, William Mitchell, who formerly was part owner of the famous Springbank distillery. Mitchell operated Glengyle until 1919, then sold the distillery to Highland Malt Distilleries Ltd, who operated Glengyle for just five years. In 1924 Glengyle suffered a fate similar to many of Campbeltown's distilleries, unable to survive the economic downturn following World War One. Sir Maurice Bloch, of the Bloch Brothers purchased the distillery in 1940, which had been used by the Campbeltown Miniature Rifle club and prepared to again produce whisky. With the outbreak of World War Two, his plans were abandoned. Another attempted revival came in 1957, when Campbell Henderson Ltd applied for planning permission to restore and reopen Glengyle, but for reasons unexplained this venture also failed. In the year 2000, Mitchell's Glengyle Limited was formed, in yet another effort to restore the now gutted old distillery. At the chair of the company is, Mr Hedley Wright, great great nephew of William Mitchell. Wright is also the chairman of J & A Mitchell & Co. owners of the nearby 'cult' distillery Springbank. Two years were spent restoring the buildings that had been stripped of almost every trace of distilling equipment.

A Frankenstein like effort resulted in the stills being sourced from the former Ben Wyvis distillery before being modified to suit Glenglyle. Craigellachie distillery's renovations resulted in a suitable mill becoming available. The washbacks were custom built on site. Renovations were complete and the first spirit flowed in 2004. Three years later the spirit was now legally whisky, and a large party ensued. The Kilkerran whisky available today is a 'work in progress' release, and after informal tastings we can confirm this status. Kilkerran shows all the promise of a top quality whisky in an appealing yet slightly disjointed way. Light in body, and lightly peated, slightly rough around the edges. No doubt time will certainly smooth out the bumps in this young whisky. One to reach for when you feel like something different and full of character. Or, perhaps this whisky offers opportunities for the patient and wise investor? Imagine what a young, bottled 'work in progress' Ardbeg, or Glenfarclas would fetch at auction today!