Kilkerran 8yo Bourbon Cask Strength

Mitchell's Glengyle Distillery was founded by William Mitchell in 1872 and he ran the distillery as a sole proprietor, just down the road from Springbank. Like the majority of Campbeltown distilleries, Glengyle suffered greatly during the economic downturn at the beginning of the 20th century. It was bought by West Highland Malt Distilleries Ltd in 1919 then sold again in 1924 for the princely sum of £300, before production finally ceased altogether in 1925. In November 2000, 75 years after Glengyle had last produced spirit, it was announced that the buildings had been bought by a new company, Mitchell's Glengyle Limited, although because the name Glengyle is already used for a blended Highland malt, so it was renamed Kilkerran, which comes from the Gaelic Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain, which is the name of the original settlement where Saint Kerran had his religious cell and where Campbeltown now stands.
 
This 8yo is an outstanding cask-strength release from Kilkerran. This Campbeltown single malt has spent its entire eight-year maturation in bourbon casks, building indulgent layers of vanilla custard and banoffee pie. Bottled at a confident 57.7% ABV, it delivers depth, texture and unmistakable coastal character, no compromise, all substance.
 
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Notes of butterscotch and custard creams lead, with apple butter and white miso. Cream sponge and poached pear sweetness follows.
Palate: There is a creaminess on the palate in notes of shortbread crust and smooth caramel chocolate, with notes of gooseberries, white grapes, cigar box smoke and sandalwood developing.
Finish: Hints of green peppercorn and honeydew melon emerge in the finish, alongside an ashy note.