kilkerran 8 years cask strength 2024 sherry cask matured review 2

Kilkerran 8 Years Cask Strength Sherry Cask (2024)

The Kilkerran 8 Years Cask Strength has become a Campbeltown staple. Maybe even a Scotch whisky standard. Either way, the latest edition was bottled in early 2024 and is Sherry Cask Matured. Sold out pretty much everywhere, unless you’re willing to pay a premium.

You never really know what you’re going to get with the Kilkerran 8 Years Cask Strength. Not necessarily because the releases seem to alternate between ex-bourbon and ex-sherry cask maturation. I’m referring to the quality of the sherry casks. Which, in all honesty, can be an issue across all of J&A Mitchell’s companies, including Springbank and Cadenhead’s.

Sulphur is the main problem I encounter. It’s not an uncommon element of sherry-matured Kilkerran to begin with. But the 2021 version of the Kilkerran 8 Years Cask Strength was riddled with it. Other versions luckily less so. Still, that’s why I always prefer my Kilkerran to be matured in ex-bourbon casks. Fingers crossed the latest Kilkerran 8 Years Cask Strength is from clean sherry casks.

kilkerran 8 years cask strength 2024 sherry cask matured review

Kilkerran 8 Years Cask Strength Sherry Cask (57.4%, OB, 2024)

Nose: Strong sherry influence and soft peat. There’s a nice balance with the classic ‘Campbeltown funk’. Using that term feels like a cop-out. Not everybody will understand what that smells like exactly. But it’s there in spades. As well as a slight dirtiness. Some rubber, but luckily not as much. A good amount of mango, some tangerines too, and papaya as well as burlap and tobacco.
Taste: Starting on tobacco, mint leaves and earthy peat. A quick hit of fennel and thyme as well. Then blackcurrants, a hint of fudge and dried apricots. But also some touches of sulphur again.
Finish: Lingering finish with sweet cereals, a touch of rubber and honey.

Conclusion
While good, I don't regret not having bought a bottle when I was in Campbeltown last month. For my money, the Kilkerran 8 Years Cask Strength works best in ex-bourbon casks. There's a dirtiness here that I'd attribute to the ex-sherry casks. Not that I only enjoy ultra-clean, crisp whisky. Ben Nevis has turned dirtiness into an art form. But there it's part of the spirit character. Here I feel it's the cask. That's a big difference.
8.6

Photo: Whiskybase

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