Glengyle Distillery Kilkerran 8 Year Old Bourbon Cask Matured Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2026 Release

"Kilkerran always delivers a superb bang for buck and one of the most solid distillates out there." - whiskybase.com

Now seen as the value for money alternative to Springbank, Kilkerran 8YO has quickly gained a reputation as a punchy, elemental Campbeltown bomb. Previous batches included full maturations in Bourbon, Port and Sherry. Batch No.12 comes 100% matured in Bourbon barrels, resulting in a creamier mouthfeel with hints of tropical fruit and low to medium peat. A few drops of water are recommended, while some tasters note that the rough edges common to young Kilkerrans blow off after the bottle has been opened for a few weeks. No details on the numbers released, but as usual, stocks are allocated in Australia. 57.7% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

Other reviews... A top-class whisky that will certainly be among the highlights of this year's ex-bourbon cask maturation. In my opinion, a few drops of water are very good for the whisky right from the start....This Kilkerran is also a very successful single malt in the mouth, even if the taste cannot keep up with the brutally strong nose. The dominant flavors for me are pear and banana. With a little more water, the papaya flavor also reappears. Additionally, there's a hard-to-describe aroma that I associate with Kilkerran. Furthermore, the alcohol becomes somewhat more noticeable again, even with just a few drops of water. A few more drops, however, make it disappear, creating space for the sweet flavors. - whiskybase.com

Notes from the producers... Nose: Notes of butterscotch and custard creams lead, with apple butter and white miso. Cream sponge and poached pear sweetness follows. Palate: There is a creaminess on the palate in notes of shortbread crust and smooth caramel chocolate, with notes of gooseberries, white grapes, cigar box smoke and sandalwood developing. Finish: Hints of green peppercorn and honeydew melon emerge in the finish, alongside an ashy note.