September 2022

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength (Batch 4, Oct 2019)

/ / Campbeltown, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength
Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Batch 4 – October 2019

57.1% ABV
$100
Website
Kilkerran 8 Year Cask Strength

What the Distillery Says

The name Kilkerran is derived from the Gaelic, “Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain” which is the name of the original settlement where Saint Kieran had his religious cell and Campbeltown now stands. Glengyle now produces a range of Kilkerran Single Malt whiskies, all natural in colour and non-chill filtered. All our whisky characterises typical Campbeltown drams; rich, complex and perfectly balanced.

This batch was matured in 100% Re-charred Oloroso Sherry Casks.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Smokey with peat, smoked barbecue brisket, salty sea breeze, raisins, dates, black tea, grilled peaches, slightly medicinal with a mineral note.
Palate:  Viscous mouthfeel, sweet entry with fruity notes of raisins, figs and cherries; gives way to savory notes of broiled meat and sea salt.
Finish:  Moderately long and salty with dark fruits and peat.
Comments:  This whisky is special for a number of reasons – first and foremost that it is the first whisky in more than a decade that my wife told me to buy (and I can count on one hand how many others there have been!) The nose is delightfully complex for 8 years old, and a bit of water brings out notes of caramel. Thick mouthfeel that stands up to water, bringing more fruit notes of cherries and orange. Note that there is variation from batch to batch. The one prior to this used ex-bourbon casks, and the one after was first-fill Oloroso Sherry casks. The bottle didn’t disclose these details, so you may have to do some research when shopping.

Rating: Must Try

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Buzzard’s Roost Char #1 Straight Bourbon Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Buzzard’s Roost Char #1 Straight Bourbon Whiskey

52.5% ABV
$55
Website
Buzzard's Roost Char #1 Straight Bourbon
We would like to thank Buzzard’s Roost for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

OUR PROCESS
We start by sourcing the best aged whiskey we can find, but the real magic is in our barrels. We use only brand new, 53-gallon white oak barrels that are carefully toasted and very lightly charred. Each one is designed from the ground up to deliver a specific flavor profile.

We work closely with our cooperage to tweak every parameter of the barrel – from the seasoning to the charring to the development of our custom toast profiles. All of our barrels are unique and proprietary to our company, giving Buzzard’s Roost a truly one-of-a kind flavor. After resting only a few weeks in our new barrels, the whiskey is purposefully transformed and ready for bottling.

Buzzard’s Roost Char #1 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age: 4 Years | Proof: 105
Mash Bill: 59% corn • 36% rye • 5% malted barley

About: Buzzard’s Roost is excited to announce the launch of its third bourbon in celebration of three years of making exceptional whiskeys. Created from 4-year-old whiskey, then aged in our proprietary barrels, this bourbon is created from a mash bill of of 59% corn, 36% rye, and 5% malted barley.

The color is a rich bronze, and this bourbon is sure to stand out in your favorite whiskey cocktail or enjoyed straight on its own.

Char #1 Bourbon offers tantalizing aromas of brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla. The palate is a perfect blend of flavor and structure, with woody notes that are matched with cherry and dark fruit notes. The finish is long with just the right intensity. The fruit and vanilla hints are accompanied by a pinch of spice.

• Nose: The nose is full of brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla.
• Palate: Once on the palate, flavors of sweet vanilla and brown sugar lend themselves to a sweet and rich mouthfeel.
• Finish: A harmonious and subtle fade to cherry and blackberry.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Cooked corn mash with brown sugar, vanilla, touch of honey, oak and cinnamon.
Palate:  Vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, pepper spice with oak and cinnamon.
Finish:  Short with oak, pepper and vanilla.
Comments:  The nose definitely comes across as young (which at 4 years it is). I do appreciate the higher ABV, and this is one of those rare whiskies < 55% ABV where I actually prefer it with a bit of water – which amps the brown sugar on the nose to almost molasses, and tamps the edges on the palate with even more brown sugar.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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