Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch #8

Split this bottle with @KoryH. The nose is creamy, mossy, brazen, dreamy. The only single malt quite like it in aroma is Ledaig 18, which was a very special bottle indeed. The resemblance ends there though, but not at a fault. The palate is earthy, rich, and saline. Oysters on the half shell are a prominent note along with glazed cashews, cacao, cola, and cake. A deliciously grapey malt sweetness supports it all. The oiliest mouthfeel remains strong and spiritous, while the smoldering finish brings a raspberry surprise with its unfailing burn. Given its strength, this is one of the rare occasions that I added water to a pour. With a few drops, it becomes sweeter and mellower, with lemon meringue, table grapes, stuffed olives, and paraffin joining the cake and oyster flavors. Reached the end of my half, whose last pour was paired with raw oysters from the Carolina coast, inspired by the notes I’d been tasting. A wonderful expression of Kilkerran.

rich, oily, yellow cake, earthy, full sweetness, ashy