With the arrival of the brand new Springbank releases (Native Barley 2022 amongst others) additionally comes a brand new set of whiskies from Kilkerran distillery.
This yr the Kilkerran 8 Yr Previous Cask Energy launch is getting two sibling model, one Sherry Cask Matured and one Port Cask Matured. This must be attention-grabbing.
Kilkerran 8 yo Cask Energy – Sherry Cask Matured (58,1%, OB 2022)
Nostril: a very nice, juicy sherry character. Numerous redcurrants and bitter cherry sweet. Behind this I discover the anticipated dusty notes, leather-based, espresso and walnuts, in addition to mentholated hints. Charred oak. Loads of tobacco leaves, nice hints of humid cellars in Jerez. Clear and easily actually good.
Mouth: a deeply earthy and smoky facet now, which mixes properly with the tobacco flavours and muddy / foresty notes. Syrupy cherries, drops of cough syrup, cocoa and liquorice. Refined farmy notes. Darkish chocolate mousse with salt flakes (nice combo). All in all, a very good mixture of darkness and brightness. Some burnt wooden and nonetheless a whiff of rubber maybe, however I discover this cleaner and extra fulfilling than final yr’s Kilkerran 8 Years Oloroso model.
End: lengthy, smoky, with extra liquorice and char.
A extremely good sherry cask model of Kilkerran. This whisky isn’t completely clear, however with this sort of sherry affect you get a compelling mixture of Jerez aroma and peaty character. Seize it when you’ve got an opportunity.
Kilkerran 8 yo Cask Energy – Port Cask Matured (57,9%, OB 2022)
Nostril: much more winey and funky, which implies strawberry jams and morello cherries, but in addition flinty notes, damp leaves, engine oil and wee soiled notes. Loads of soy sauce, even just a few drops of pungent fish sauce and balsamic vinegar. Previous leather-based. Then hints of peanuts, earthy smoke and low. Some herbs within the background.
Mouth: much more smoky than the sherry model, with extra funky and farmy notes. Numerous cooked fruits, Cherry Heering, raisins and chocolate, but in addition meaty notes, all-spice and capsicum. Large caramel and treacle. Lastly some espresso and wine tannins too.
End: lengthy, spicy and winey, with chocolate and nutmeg.
Attention-grabbing mixture of savoury and candy notes, with an enormous dose of Kilkerran funk and a unclean edge. Not unhealthy, however not a mode that I’m keen on. On this direct comparability the sherry outclasses it in my humble opinion. Rating: 82/100
