Kilkerran Heavily Peated

Glengyle was founded in 1872 by William Mitchell, nephew of Springbank's founder, and thrived during Campbeltown's whisky boom. After closure, Cadenhead's reopened the distillery in 2004, and Kilkerran now carries the Mitchell legacy forward. The name itself references the historic local area—a deliberate choice because the Mitchell family no longer owns the Glengyle brand name.

This Heavily Peated is a regular cask-strength release, a bold statement in Campbeltown's typically light-peated lineup. Cask composition varies by batch, but typically blends ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks (sometimes rum) to anchor smoke with depth.

The nose opens with creamy butterscotch and vanilla—disarmingly soft for a heavily peated spirit—followed by rye bread and toasted grain. On the palate, smoke emerges alongside mineral, chalky notes, sweet pears and pineapple beneath the ash, with pepper and an oily, silky texture. The finish stretches long and sooty: coal smoke, smoked peach, and a lingering mineral, waxen character.