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Kilkerran Work in Progress 2

Average score from 2 reviews and 2 ratings 91

Kilkerran Work in Progress 2

Product details

  • Brand: Kilkerran
  • Bottler: Distillery Bottling
  • Series: Work in Progress
  • ABV: 46.0%
  • Bottled: 2010

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Kilkerran Work in Progress 2

When I first tasted this expression, I didn't really know what to make of it. It didn't have an age statement, but that was a trend that was beginning to take hold anyway. so I didn't think much of that. It tasted fresh, but punchy: something I didn't expect from a Campbeltown whisky. Later, when I tried to do some research, I found out the Glengyle distillery issued new expressions each year until they could release their first 12 year old standard in 2016. This one is from 2010; a six year old whisky, that promises a lot for the twice as old standard, set to be released in 2016.

Nose: Fresh, grass, little bit of lemon zest, sea air and smoke

Palate: Vanilla, cereal, citrus, grass and herbs. Hint of smoke and white pepper.

Finish: medium long. The hint of smoke stays as well as a little bit of a straw-like flavour.

When I read about the age, I was pleasantly surprised. This is an example of how age is less important than the way you treat the whisky.

I do wish they'd put age statements on this series, though, despite the pass they're getting in this discussion.

It's not that I think Glengyle is giving us a raw deal with the NAS labeling (or however you want to phrase the usual NAS criticism). Rather, it's just confusing as-is. They don't clearly label them as "WIP 1/2/3/etc." to begin with, and then if you do know which edition you have, you then need to know how old #1 was (five years) to know the age of the current one.

Maybe we're just supposed to enjoy it without worrying about the age? I get that argument in the general endless NAS debates, but in the case the point of the series is to watch Kilkerran go from very young to mature. The lack of information makes that pretty hard to actually do.

OK, I started a general Kilkerran thread a few weeks ago, so I should just continue my thoughts over there. Thanks for the review of #2, Mikey09! This one and the new CS version are the ones I'd most like to get my hands on.

connosr.com/wall/discussion/…

I know what you mean @OIJas , I had to google search the tube to know what WIP it was. There's certainly a lot of debate around about the NAS-bottles, and I am still not too happy about it, but this was a nice surprise. And because it was such a nice surprise I didn't mind it taking a little bit more of an effort to find out. I can imagine that it makes it a little bit more difficult to get them all in the right order, though.

I didn't know about your thread, maybe I will contribute when I taste other Kilkerrans.

@MaltActivist

I seem to be on a bit of a Campbeltown run of late having reviewed around 6 or 7 in the last month alone. It's been fun, I'll have to admit. Some nice Longrows, some decent Springbanks and, my favorite of the lot, the Kilkerrans from the Glengyle Distillery.

The name of ‘Kilkerran’ is derived from the Gaelic 'Caenn Loch Cille Chiarain' (which translates as 'head of the loch of Saint Kerran').

I reviewed two Kilkerrans earlier this month. Both sixth editions of the Work In Progress series. The Work In Progress, or WIP, series is a line of expressions from Campbeltowns newest distillery. Basically what they did was release an expression every year since 2009 when their whiskies reached 5 years of age.

The plan was to release one every year until they hit the standard 12 years. So far I have been a fan. I can only imagine how good the 12 year old will be.

Having tried the WIP 4, 5 & 6 (both sherry and oak finishes) I managed to snag an earlier bottling. This one is a WIP 2 released in 2010 making it six years old, matured in bourbon casks and bottled at 46%.

Nose: Cereal. Barley. Light honey. Grist. Hint of lemon. Green leaves. Fresh grass. Light wood. White grapes. Mild fennel. Cucumber peel. Beeswax. Beautiful nose. Perfectly controlled.

Palate: Smooth. Cereal. Lemon. Spices. Mild herbs. Leafy greens. Wood. Barley. Get's fruitier mid-palate. Green apples. Lemon zest. Peppers. The lovely delivery feels young and has a nice element of grist.

Finish: Medium. Spices. Oak. Dry grass.

This is what happens when you don't compromise on the quality of your casks or your trade. No matter the age you can create truly exceptional whiskies if you do things well.

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