Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 7

At first the nose is a little shy outside of ethanol. After airing out for a bit, lemon, Nilla Wafers, banana, salty, chocolate, black licorice, floral, slight berry. Smoke, but it doesn’t strike me as “heavily peated.” The nose suggests more mild to maybe moderate peat. There’s also a hint of the industrial funk that I usually associate with Campbeltown. Springbankishness. The palate is better than the nose. Full flavor, I’m sure owing to the high proof. The peat stands out more, and now this seems well into the moderately peated realm. Smoke and brine. Maybe a very slight iodine note, which as an Islay fan is very welcome. Lemon hard candy. The casks come across as mostly ex-bourbon, with plenty of vanilla. Malty. There’s also a little bit of dark fruit and chocolate, making me think a few Oloroso casks were included in the batch. This appreciates some time and a little water. Too hot for me at full strength, but I also found that I liked it more the longer I sat with it. It comes across as young, but enjoyable and reminds me of Ardnamurchan’s young whiskies. I’m giving it the same rating I gave the 12 year, but I’d have the 12 year as slightly better. I like the heavier peat and the higher proof of this one, but the 12 is so well balanced with a little bit of everything.

A light golden straw hue. Some legs from the proof. First bloom flowers in the spring come with a heavy hit of proof spice , but it’s clean. A touch of vegetation, oats, and jasmine. Not a winner, but an adequate opening act. On the pallet, however, our attention is earned. Creamy lemon curd, vanilla, and mild milk chocolate. Full-flavored, and an appealing balance of sweetness and character. Assertive at the bottling strength, but really enjoyable. The peat is all over this one, bu is far from an ashy campfire. Elegant and woven throughout the pallet. I’d easily recommend as long as the price wasn’t prohibitive. Well worth it at 80 to 100.

Nose: Phenolic and medicinal, Capilano Yellow Box Honey, Palate: Biscuity, Marshmallows, Caramel Finish: Long with lemon acidity

Nose was calming, peat comes out in taste majnly. Not too over bearing but an interesting taste.