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)

Speyside-Glenlivet 26 1991 Cadenhead's

A buddy recently traveled to Scotland and wanted a high end bottle as he’s beginning to get more into whisky. The folks at the Cadenhead’s shop directed him to this based on what he wanted and his budget, and he was gracious enough to share when he opened it on his birthday.

Speyside-Glenlivet 26, 1991 Vintage, Cadenhead’s, Authentic Collection, Speyside Single Malt, 48.9% ABV

Minutia: Enjoyed neat in a stemless wine glass. Distilled in 1991 and bottled in Spring 2018, matured in a bourbon hogshead.

Color: A deep straw color.

Nose: Appley malt, strawberry taffy, banana. The banana felt a bit between real banana and banana taffy, probably because the strawberry taffy mingling with it.

Taste: Woody, malty, slight pepper.

Finish: Quite long, maybe almost too much. About the same as the taste with malt and pepper flavors reversing in intensity.

I don’t like Speysides all that much. This was a very welcome surprise in that context. I think the extended time in a cask gave it a woodiness that I appreciated more than is present in younger Speysides.

Score: 83