Kilkerran 11 2009 Cadenhead's

I picked this up at an auction for probably far more than it would warrant at the actual shop, but this stuff goes fast and I don’t even have access to it in the States. I was curious about checking out some IB Kilkerran, particulary a Cadenhead’s bottling as it’s the same owner.

Kilkerran 11, 2009 Vintage, Cadenhead's Authentic Collection, Campbeltown Single Malt, 56.5% ABV

Minutia: Distilled in 2009 and matured in a bourbon barrel for 11 years and bottled in spring 2021 yielding 204 bottles. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Amber; 0.7.

Nose: Malt, unscented wax, a bit antiseptic, actually some of the tangerine the tin notes mention. Some vanilla later.

Taste: Fruity, a kick, honey. Sour malt.

Finish: Honey and nutty. Tropical fruit melee. Salty. Long. A maltiness lingers on after the rest.

While it’s not my favorite Kilkerran, it does quite nicely given my preference for smoky flavors. I’ve grown to appreciate maltiness more, and this has that to some extent throughout, which I quite enjoyed. I was a bigger fan of the fruit, though, they were fun.

Score: 83

Musical Evocation: Lisa Hannigan – “Roads” (live Portishead cover)