Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 13

Profile: The Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 13 at a Glance

• Campbeltown Origin: Distilled at the Glengyle Distillery
• Heavily Peated: Expressive Kilkerran with a powerful smoky profile
• Batch No. 13: Strictly limited bottling with serial character
• Clear Cask Selection: Matured in 90% ex-bourbon and 10% ex-sherry casks
• Natural: No added color & no chill filtration

Portrait: What makes the Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 13 special

The Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 13 is not a whisky that quietly demands attention. Even the name sounds like an official warning – and that perfectly suits its origin. We are in Campbeltown, that small Scottish whisky region once considered the "Whisky Capital of the World" and today presents itself with manageable size but great self-confidence. When Campbeltown speaks, it doesn't whisper. Behind Kilkerran stands the Glengyle Distillery, the youngest of the region's still-active distilleries.
Originally founded in 1872, it then disappeared from the scene for many decades and was only revived in 2004 by the long-established Mitchell family. The Mitchells are something like down-to-earth whisky aristocracy in Campbeltown – grounded, experienced, and with little interest in marketing gimmicks.
The name Kilkerran, by the way, is derived from the Gaelic "Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain," the original name of Campbeltown. That alone shows that history isn't being reinvented here, but rather carefully dusted off and reused. Batch No. 13 joins a series of limited bottlings where numbers are more important than grand pronouncements.
The maturation takes place 90 percent in bourbon casks and 10 percent in sherry casks – a sober statement that perfectly reflects the distillery's philosophy. No mysterious, fanciful names, just clear facts. The bottling follows this approach as well: non-chill filtered, no frills, no unnecessary explanations.
The whisky is allowed to speak for itself – which, in our experience, it does quite well.

Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 13 is therefore less polished than many of its counterparts. More the type with a weatherproof jacket, a firm handshake, and a slightly raised eyebrow. No show-off, no braggart – but a true Campbeltown original with a clear provenance, honest craftsmanship, and a serial number that is proud to simply be a number.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 13 tastes like

• Nose: On the nose, creamy aromas of butterscotch are revealed, accompanied by hints of banana cake. Floral nuances of elderflower open the aromatic profile and give this heavily peated dram a surprisingly smooth start.
• Palate: On the palate, the powerful peat smoke is clearly evident and harmoniously complemented by fresh notes of honeydew melon. A savory, almost salty hint of Iberico ham adds depth and lends the overall impression a distinctive, complex structure.
• Finish: The smoke remains present and lingers on the finish. These are complemented by delicate herbal notes of verbena and sweet accents of honeycomb, which give the finish a balanced and lasting conclusion.