Tasting: Glengyle Kilkerran WIP 7 Bourbon 2004-2015

Dram data:
Distillery: Glengyle
Bottler: Official Bottling
Distilled: 2004
Bottled: 2015
Age: ca. 11 years
Limitation: 6000 bottles
Casks: ex-bourbon
Alcohol: 54,1%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: Gold
The nose opens just the way one expects the ex-bourbon Kilkerrans to: A bit shy yet elegant and full of character: Loads of vanilla and custard with a distinct sweetness, the typical fragrant Springbank peat and a hint of salt spray. At cask strength there’s also a noticeable alcohol note, so let’s add a dollop of water, shall we? Ah, yes. Lime, fresh ginger, eucalyptus, malt sweetness, sweet pineapple and Kiwi. Where do they hide these tropical fruits in Campbeltown? Simply a wonderfully elegant, light and, for want of a better word “classic” nose with a fine balance between distillery character and wood. Nothing over-engineered about it, no casks on steroids, no experiments, no faults. Hey, this took me 20 minutes to nose… let’s move on, shall we? The palate (diluted) behaves just like the Sherry wood did. Very consistent compared to the nose, mouth-coating, oily, causing streams of saliva to flow! Vanilla custard, orange juice with bits and peel, pineapple juice, apple juice, overripe Kiwi, lychees, gooseberries, sweet physalis, sweet malt, rounded off with light fragrant peat. Good lord… ’nuff said. The long finish (diluted) starts out quite fruity-sweet, but slides down the throat ever so gently and quite oily with the peat smoke appearing halfway through. It just fades and fades and fades…

Verdict:
Yes, oh yes. oh yessss!!!! Om nom nom. Right, sorry, I heard you all right telling me to get a move on. Well, what can I say: I love this dram. Just like the Sherry cask release, a very consistent presentation from nose to finish, great balance between distillery character and (fantastic!) wood, no off-notes whatsoever, just a rich, creamy, oily, fruity experience with just the right dose of peat. At the same time it is neither too weak, nor overpowering, nothing over-engineered or “made to suit a certain taste” about it – an honest, down-to-earth malt from an underrepresented distillery. This gives most of the big names a run for their money…

Score: 92/100
(Nose: 90 Palate: 92 Finish: 91)

The sample was kindly provided by Cadenhead’s Whisky Market Austria. Cheers!