Saturday 8 November 2014

Glengyle's Kilkerran Work in Progress VI Bourbon Cask

Apricots by the Sea

I love Campbeltown whiskies, by that I mean everything of the Springbank range, not Glen Scotia.
But it took me quite some time to eventually try the sister distillery of Springbank from the same owners. I'll admit I've been missing out.
whiskymizuwari.blogspot.be/2012/12/glengyle-distillery.html

I'm still often surprised to hear people asking me where the "Kilkerran" distillery is situated, or bluntly stating that Kilkerran is just another range of the Springbank distillery along Hazelburn and Longrow. 
However Glengyle is the name of the beast, and it is an independent distillery by in its own right.
The distillery has some historic roots as it was rebuild on the grounds of an older Cambeltown distillery. In the hollow shell of what once was a mighty Glengyle distillery, a new chapter was written in the early 2000's . 

Just like with the Wolfburn or Annandale distillery not much publicity was given at the time. And few people knew about its existence when after 90 years of silence the spirit started running again through its stills.  

And by its stills, I actually mean the pot stills of the old Ben Wyvis distillery, Invergordon's Ladyburn if you will. Not much is known of Ben Wyvis, few have been privileged to taste one of its independent bottlings, but the general consensus is that the closure of Ben Wyvis should not be considered a tragic loss for the industry.

Glengyle is thus an inspiring distillery, incorporating both new and old elements from the industry, bringing back life to the former whisky capital of the world. 
"A prophet emerged from the desert to bring forth the good news to people, that they were at the dawn of the Whisky Renaissance."

Lastly, why is it called Kilkerran and not Glengyle? Well the name Glengyle is currently owned by Glen Catrine, the corporation behind Loch Lomond and Glen Scotia,  

The Whisky

Every year, a new "Work in Progress" edition is being released, for as long a they are not entirely satisfied with the end product.  As always they are NAS with a distinction is made between the bourbon and sherry matured edition. 
www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-24660.aspx


Nose: tones of apricots, honey, sunflower oil, with some underlying briny soft coastal notes.

Palate: light body and sharp (unexpected) on the palate, with an oily texture, almonds, honey, a touch of green apples, and a mix of soft fruits with mils peppery notes.

Finish: medium long and drying, sugared flavours with an endnote of dried prunes,

Conclusion

Not all what I expected, the palate came as a bit of a shock. After the soft nose, it cuts like a knife, clean and pure .


Didn't like it at the first sip, adored it at the last. Takes some getting used, so probably not for beginners, but to the seasoned malty mad heads under us I say, give it a go.


SCORE: 88