Kilkerran Distillery : 12 Year Old

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Kilkerran Distillery 12 Years Old

Tasting Notes

Appearance
Natural in colour, ranging from pale straw to harvest gold. Thick, slow legs form on the sides of the glass, hinting straight away at a rich, oily texture.

Nose
A remarkably complex bouquet weaving together woody notes, dried fruits and cherry. These are joined by indulgent hints of toasted marshmallows over a campfire and marzipan, along with subtle herbal and citrus touches.

Palate
The texture is decidedly oily and voluptuous, a true Campbeltown signature. The palate opens with a fruity, zesty attack reminiscent of lemon cheesecake, vanilla and butterscotch. A gentle peat smoke, accompanied by peppery notes and a hint of salt, brings elegant structure to the whole. The finish is long and velvety, marked by notes of meringue, a lovely salinity and the lingering presence of soft smoky embers.

Food Pairings and Tasting Moments

Ideal as an aperitif or as a contemplative whisky to be savoured slowly, neat or with a few drops of water to unlock its full aromatic palette. Although the estate does not suggest specific pairings, its oily, fruity and slightly saline profile will pair beautifully with hard cheeses, fine charcuterie, smoked fish or lemon-based desserts.

Mixology

Thanks to its light, aromatic style and discreet smokiness, this single malt lends itself perfectly to mixology. It is ideal for reinvented classic cocktails that call for a malty, smoky touch without overpowering the mix.

An Oily, Fruity and Subtly Peated Scotch Whisky from Campbeltown

The Estate

Founded in 1872 by William Mitchell and later closed in 1925, the Glengyle distillery lay dormant for nearly 75 years before being acquired in 2000 and reopened in 2004. It is here that the Kilkerran brand's Scotch whisky is produced, a name chosen in tribute to the Gaelic origins of the Campbeltown region. The production equipment stands out for its stills, modified for high reflux, and long fermentations in wooden vats, ensuring a spirit of great finesse. Historically revived by Hedley G. Wright, the estate belongs to the independent group J&A Mitchell & Company. Following Mr Wright's passing in 2023, the shares were transferred to local trust funds to preserve the community roots of Kilkerran Distillery, whose management is now overseen by a board of directors including Neil Clapperton and Hannah Fawcett.

The Meticulous Crafting of the Non-Vintage 12 Years Old

Kilkerran's whisky 12 Years Old represents the modern distillery's first permanent expression, officially launched in 2016 after several years of limited editions. This single malt is the result of a meticulous process that begins with lightly peated barley, partly malted in the traditional way on the malting floors of sister distillery Springbank, using the soft water of Crosshill Loch.

Distillation is carried out twice in stills recovered from the former Ben Wyvis distillery and specifically modified to increase reflux, giving the spirit its light and aromatic character. The blend for this 12 Years Old relies on careful maturation, made up of 70% ex-bourbon casks and 30% sherry casks. The casks rest in Springbank's traditional warehouses, exposed to Campbeltown's maritime microclimate, which contributes to the saline signature and prized oily texture of this malt. Bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and with its natural colour, this whisky has established itself as an essential reference for enthusiasts in search of authenticity.