Kilkerran 16 Year Single Malt Scotch
Kilkerran is the flagship whisky made by the Glengyle Distillery, Springbank's sister distillery just down the road in Campbeltown. Reopened just a handful of years ago in 2004 after 80 years of being shuttered, it makes for a wee grand total of three operational distilleries in Campbeltown, once the undisputed capital of whisky-making in Scotland. The 16 year is aged primarily in ex-bourbon barrels, with a small portion of marsala cask matured whisky as well. It is bottled without chill filtration at 46% abv.
Slightly lactic but mostly farm-yardy with some fruity and mineral touches. Notes of bung cloth, compost, lemon and hay follow. There's a whisper of roasted almonds, pears and coastal notes too. The palate displays hints of charcoal and minerals with sweet fruits like peach and apricots, but also lychees. It certainly shows a higher level of complexity than the already excellent 12 Year. Touches of earthy peat and a nice salinity as well.