A very belated post, since the bottle is now empty. Oops. This is the first release of the 12. Not sure if there's significant batch variation, but I guess a first release is always a landmark.
Kilkerran 12 (abv 46%)
Colour - gold
Nose - There's a soft mossy peat on this that is immediately apparent, which reminds me of more mature Longrows. Vanilla floats to the top, and there's a distinctive maltiness to the nose too. Slightly yeasty, if you strain to find it. Then very fruity - passion fruit and pineapple.
Palate - A little smoke. The wood isn't very apparent, but it is there. An oaky backbone, if you will. As all whiskies should. Spicy, on cloves and nutmeg. The sherry wood influence isn't very strong, though you can detect a pomegranate-like tartness. That's very well-balanced by the sweeter side, with vanilla coming back, and quite a lot of honey. Then there's the malty side returning too - oatmeal cookies and a traditional Hainanese bakery.
Finish - Malty and oaky, with a strong honey comeback. Some ginger and herbs. Not too long, but that's about right for a 12 year old.
Overall - As widely-anticipated, and now widely confirmed, this is good. Amen.
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