Not what I remember | Kilkerran 12 REVIEW
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- Опубліковано 6 лис 2022
- I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Glengyle distillery in Campbeltown today. This is the Kilkerran 12. I scored it 85 in my last review. Let's see how it fares almost 2 years later. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes
Music: freemusicarchive.org/music/ho...
Great, open and honest review, love hearing about the journey. All about the realness.
Thanks Andrew! 🥃
Excellent review and thoughts to be examined! Good advice. I found it in Chicago today for $89 and picked up 2 bottles
Great! Enjoy! 🥃
Love your videos !! Kilkerran is one of my favorite along with Ledaig and Glenallachie ! Looks like we've got similar taste !
Like you I was a bit skeptical of the Springbank "mystique." I've since visited the distillery (and Glengyle-Kilkerran, as well) and it is hands down my absolute favorite distillery. I've done in-depth tours, the Barley to Bottle program, and it is an absolute class act. Great video...appreciate the candor. Thanks!
Thanks for watching, Daniel. Sounds like a hell of a trip. Jealous! 🥃
Great review! I have got the 8yo, 12yo and the Peat in Progress (PIP), the latter being my favourite because of the great taste and sliightly higher abv 😉 Like your sense humor, it's right up my alley and set your reviews a little apart from the other whisky tubers 🙂 Cheers
Very kind of you to say. Thanks for watching and for the kind words!
OMG I can’t find my keys either! The Philosophy vids are sure to be a hit.
Great review as always. 😁👍🏻
Hah thanks Dave. Cheers. 🥃
Love the new editing style
Ah, thanks. Wasn't sure it would be noticed. Cheers! 🥃
Another great review, I love both the SB and the KK but like everywhere else in the world SB is impossible to get here in NZ, KK you have to be quick but it is sometimes available. Love the touch of humour, keep up the good work👏
Thanks Alan! Appreciated!
Remember Geoff - in the middle of 'LIFE' is 'IF'. But seriously, I still have my old Kilkerran 12 from like 2 years ago and it is definitely a winner - a sort of freaky cousin of Springbank which now gives me Ardnamurchan and Benromach vibes. Good to revisit and change one's mind - remember Geoff, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
I know you didn't apply, but you're officially hired as a consultant for the new channel. Congrats. I'd pay you, but what is money anyway?
I agree with the 'craft charm' with the Kilkerran releases, I love them when I can find them. Springbank is getting very hard to get even here in the UK, so I thought playing maracas with the 10 and the 12 was very cool. Cheers for a great honest review and that Port Charlotte 10 is a fantastic whisky.
Cheers Billyboy! 🥃
Again another very good Video about a very good Whisky.
Thanks for Sharing your Opinion in your Way.
And thanks for watching! 🙏
Your face again FFS! Seriously though, you're spot on here and it's a lesson to all whisky lovers, drinkers and enthusiasts. Never write off a dram. As your palate changes, something you didn't like before could suddenly become amazing - and vice-versa. It's an ever evolving journey. Cheers G.
Absolutely. Too many examples of whiskies I'd written off that I enjoy now. It's normal! Cheers Big guy. Hope you're not feeling too rough today! ☕️
Kilkerran started my love for whisky, I recall finding a WIP7CS and I didn’t care for it at first so drank like half of the bottle over a month or two until one night it hit me! It was delicious and I regretted drinking so much without enjoying it.
I think Kilkerran needs a lot of time cause same happened with 2021’s 12 when I initially rated a 7.9 and 10 months later it jumped to a 9
I just ordered a 2022 12 and 16 yr old.
Awesome review
Yeah I've had similar experiences with it. I had an early WIP and I didn't like it much. Can't say I ever warmed up to it. The older 12s would be hit-or-miss to me. But the new bottling seems to be much more in line with my tastes. It does feel like it's a bit closer to Springbank nowadays, imo. I'm sure you'll enjoy, buddy!
Almost as hard to get ur hands on as SB10! Great review Geoff. A big favourite with us. 😊
Shame. It's definitely more available than SB in most places, but it sells fast! Glad you're a fan, John!
Yeah, ok ok, marginally easier to find but suffering the same popularity here! Lol
Hah not surprising. The Campbeltown gold rush is still in full swing! 🥃
Nice review Geoff, thanks. The closest I have got to a Campbeltown type whisky is the Loch Lomond 12. Incredible whisky at around £40 in the UK.
I found the Loch Lomond to be quite different to Springbank, but there are some dirty notes in both that invite comparison. I do hope you get to try some SB at some point. Let's hope it pops up in your market at a reasonable price someday! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I agree Geoff. Similarities & an excellent back up. My local has put the SB up from around £45 to £50. Which isn’t too bad, but it all gets pre orders! I just don’t think it’s worth the chase. So many excellent alternatives out there. craigellachie 13! Now there’s a whisky!
Totally agree. I wasn’t too fond of the older one (about 3 years ago) but looove the current ones! A lot!
Plus they are more available than SB’s here in NZ….
Can’t wait for that Philosophy channel!
You guys are lucky to have them available there. Seems not everyone has access to this stuff. Cheers! 🥃
Always good to keep an open mind on a bottle. Bought a bottle of Glendronach after having tasted it. Took it home opened it a week later and thought I had wasted my money. Came back to it some months later and remembered why I bought it.
Hah yeah there's definitely. some consistency of opinion that must be sacrificed if you're getting into whisky! 🥃
Great review Geoff, you nailed it again.
Kilkerran is really special. Love the 8 (sherry or bourbon, does not matter) the 12 is great. even had the triple distilled and port finish at a tasting, and those were out of space.
However the 16 did not work for me, tried some things to give it more air and so, but did not do the trick for me.
But overall very solid tasty stuff.
I keep hearing that the 16 just doesn't work for people. Shame, it's pricey. I'm curious but perhaps not worth the $$$? Cheers Hans! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I would go for a sample in your case.
I hope you and all the people in commenting are right in that the newer bottlings are better. I have two bottles from 2019 and I am not very found of those. I am one of the few who prefer the 16-y over there-y. The 8-y Port and Sherry, 2022 are my favorites though 😅
I keep hearing about the 8-year-old port. They sold it here for a while, but it was massively overpriced. Shame.
Your ventriloquism is really improving!
Ace vid, cheers!
😂😂😂
I really like KK 12 but to me it just doesn't replace Springbank 10. I find SB10 a bit more rounded, which I like, and KK12 to be a bit more citrusy and maritime from my novice palate. Both are very difficult to get in my market and both expensive. But life is short so gotta get some Springbank. Definitely agree with you, my palate has changed over time. The Daoists says change and death are the only certainties. We could add taxes to the list I suppose for modernity's sake. I have been thinking about SB vs KK lately. I wish there were more Campbelltown distilleries. Loved your Craigellachie mention. Love me some Craigellachie. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks for watching, Mark! Yeah it's a shame that we're in the midst of a Campbeltown gold rush and that there aren't more distilleries with a similar style available to us. For me the SB10 is a bit dirtier and ashy with less of a fruity touch. But both SB10 and KK12 vary depending on batches. Cheers! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I would say it is a world whisky gold rush as well. I did a bit of reading about the old Whisky Loch from the 80's. Scotland made so much whisky they had way too much supply. I wonder if they are doing that again. Seems all the big distilleries have dramatically ramped up production in the last decade. For sure Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, MacAllan and probably many more not to mention a bunch of new distilleries, but those have smaller production numbers. Seems a Dutch tulip bulb moment. But who knows. I would welcome whisky for drinking back, rather than as an investment vehicle. I will check out your philosophy channel when it comes out. I watch Ralfy's fitterphilosophy channel and find it interesting. I like his pragmatism. Many of the original Greek philosophers were about knowledge to improve your life and not as an academic pursuit. I think we need that back. Not arguing about the nature of Being.
Very very nice and well done review. The one store chain that gets Kilkerran in somewhat regularly in my area must’ve listened to the community. They priced Springbank 10 year at $88 and Kilkerran 12 year at $86. They know it is a Springbank alternative and priced accordingly. Oh well. When it comes back in stock in my area I’ll pick one up.
Trust me that's much better than what a lot of people are being asked to pay for it. It's a good whisky, and of course we all decide what's reasonable, but damn this Campbeltown gold rush is getting annoying! Cheers Dean! 🥃
@@Gwhisky oh wow. Thanks for the lesson. I haven't looked in other markets regarding Sprinkbank Kilkerran pricing. I'm shocked they're getting so expensive and the gold rush is happening with these. both the 10 year and 12 year used to be about $74 USD in my area.
@@TheReal_DeanD Count yourself lucky they're under $100. They're often much higher nowadays!
Great review, Geoff. Couldn’t agree more… for me it’s a step up to a SB10. It doesn’t quite reach the depth of a SB15, but it’s a great every day Cambletown whisky.
Great minds, eh? 🥃
A true alternative to Springbank because its just as hard to find
Hah sorry to hear that. I suppose we're lucky to have it available here, at least for now.
Truth
It’s available here in Florida .Not easy at all to find it actually. When you do it’s @$100.
I can say only the older ones. The new bottle shape I haven’t seen at all.
Lol, the exact same thing I said to myself on reading the title.
£46 in the uk , 10yo springbank is £55 , can't find any older springbank
Informative and entertaining.
Thanks Geoff for a great review.
Love the Kilkerran 12yo... next to the Springbank 10yo.
Is it a true alternative? ... Well, it at least is (almost) as unavailable, so on that point a true alternative.
Slàinte mhath
I suppose we're lucky here in Taiwan. I don't expect the bottles we've got now to stick around forever. I'm sure they'll disappear in no time. Then it's secondary market prices for us. I'll enjoy it while it lasts. 🥃
I have this bottle of Springbank 15 at home that I just don’t dare to open.
Thanks for showing me an alternative while I wait for the life event that justifies the Springbank, haha.
Hah don't hold your breath! Cheers buddy! 🥃
Hey Geoff! Fun review as always, can't wait for the new Gphilosophy channel to drop 😆 I'm with you on the prior Kilkerran 12 releases. Last year I picked up 2 bottles of the late 2020 release and found it to be a bit of a letdown after hearing all the hype. I initially thought it was just OK, but nothing special. Even did a side by side tasting with a Glen Scotia Double Cask and preferred the GS hands down. I did eventually grow to enjoy it as the bottle went down, but this is probably one of those whiskies that needs to rest on the shelf for a few months to develop once opened. I will take your advice and grab a bottle of the newer release next time it comes around.
On a side note, (and since you flashed those Springbanks 😉) I managed to get lucky in the latest SAQ lottery draw and managed to score some 2021 releases of Kilkerran 16, Diageo Special Release Talisker 8 and Longrow!! For once the whisky gods smiled upon me, of course that totally blew my whisky budget for the month, but how could I resist?! Keep up the great work!
Congrats on the win! I didn't know the SAQ even had a lottery system in place. I know the LCBO does, so I suppose it makes sense. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the Kilkerran 16. I'm sure that Talisker 8 is going to be fantastic. They're almost always good. Cheeres Peter!
@@Gwhisky Thanks! The SAQ only started these lottery draws in 2021, so it is fairly new. They seem to be doing them twice a year so far. Will definitely let you know once I get around to the Kilkerran 16, Talisker 8 and Longrow.
Btw, opened a bottle of Kilchoman Sanaig a few weeks ago (my first Kilchoman!) and was surprised by the intensity of the peat. It seems to overpower the sherry notes, but I'm guessing that over time the peat will fade a bit and the sherry will become more present. Still, it's really good and I would probably buy it again, but I'll need to have a few more pours before I give it a proper review.
@@peterruffolo700 The Sanaig seems to have batch issues. Sometimes it's more on the side of sherry, other times peat. But yeah it's an intense one. Let's hope it rounds out over time! 🥃
I feel the same way about kil12 and sp10. More often I grab the Kilkerran first and not only because I want to really go slow with my Springbank. Both are fantastic, very different and together on their own little island at the same time. Top5 fav stuff. Cheers!
High praise! Cheers HC! 🥃
Going slow with a Springbank is akin to going slow in a Porsche GT3. Quite the challenge!
@@wilseph1 I drive like a tortoise anyway so I have that advantage.
@@Johnny__Silver 🤣🤣🤣
I have similar thoughts about Kilkerran. The older bottlings were very Springbank-lite. To my palate, at least. But it looks like Kilkerran has found its own character in these newer batches.
Interesting how we each perceive it differently. ;) In my opinion it lost its own character and became Springbank. But each of us has his own unique palate and experience. Even for me the new Kilkerran 12 is still a great dram. It just lost its uniqueness though. ;)
@@lukashavel7690 I agree with your opinion. it is quite interesting that we all have different palates
Recently did a side by side blind tasting with some Campbeltown (style) malts and the Kilkerran was on the lower end for me beside the new bottling of Benromach 10. I echo your sentiments about preferences changing but I feel like batch variations especially for our beloved craft whiskies is to be expected.
I skipped picking up this year’s bottling but having watched your review I might reconsider if it pops up again though currently appearing at $78 locally.
Similarly I recently got to retry the Ardbeg 5 Wee Beastie, 10, and Corryvreckan, while tasing the An Oa and Uigeadail for the first time!
I previously rated the 10 to be below the Laga 16 which I rate below PC10 and Ledaig 10 but I guess this latest batch was a lot more medicinal and smoky and less sweet and now on par with the Ledaig and Port Charlotte.
Craigellachie 13 still eludes my palate for some reason. I’m unsure why.
Great review! My Campbeltown shootout is on r/scotch if you’re interested.
There's certainly batch variation and the evolution of our own tastes and preferences to consider. Makes the whole idea of "understanding" a whisky very elusive. Ardbeg 10 is the king of batch variation imo! Some truly are fantastic, and others kind of dull. Definitely sounds like you got a better one! As for Craigellachie, yeah it's not for everyone. I know plenty of very experienced whisky friends who don't enjoy it like I do. All a matter of taste! Cheers.
I got a bottle of this recently. I've not been able to get a taste of it yet. I will maybe try it by the end of the year or maybe early next year. Looking forward in any case. I have also a springbank 10 and 15 that is in the same situation. Lots to go through... Cheers
Unfortunately it is just as difficult to find as Springbank............ So rather look at Glen Scotia.
It's excellent stuff! Depending on your preferences, it might not match the Springbanks you've got, but it's certainly close in terms of quality imo! Smart of you to stock up while you could! 🥃
@@cliffnorman178 I agree. It was a lot of online search. I had to go back during several month to find them. I got lucky to find those bottles. I juste found a Springbank 18 as well. Lucky me. But it was a bit pricy...
I wasn't the biggest fan of KK12 when I bought a bottle two years ago. Maybe the sting of having to pay $100 was part of it...but I really enjoy it now. I've had to make that bottle last because I've only seen it in one store in my area that is now asking $150. It's a great alternative to Springbank which is either never available or listed for a price so ridiculously high that it makes my ancestors cry (my Great Grandpappy was a moonshiner and I know he'd be upset).
Ouch! $150 for this? I love it but you're right that's ridiculous! 🥃
Yeah its still €50-60 in central europe . Damn we’re lucky
The bottle I had was probably the most mineral / coastal bottle I’ve ever had. Certainly not fruity. Must be the newer bottles.
I agree the Campbell town bottlings are all different. Certainly you can taste the quality.
I gassed the 10 yr Springbank at @ 3/4 closer to half. Never really liked it much. I’ll revisit it later on. The SB 12 I loved upon opening it. Most unique taste ever. As the bottle went down it became more like a regular bottle if that makes sense. I still have some left and an unopened one. Grabbed two while they were priced correctly($90).
I don’t sweat not bumping into Springbank often. The stores are price gauging so I won’t be buying them. Also I’ve had some so I know they’re good but nothing to sell your soul for.
Could be. The fruitiness was new to me, too! Don't remember it in my previous bottles!
The KK 12 is still great value for money and, most importantly, it seems to still be available. What I dont get is the huge difference in price between the 12 and the 16 which I dont think is worth it. Good review! And I agree that KK is superior to Glenscotia.
I've yet to see the 16 here in Taiwan. I'm very curious about it, although I don't know how much it will sell for here. Hopefully less than double, although I wouldn't be surprised...
Nice re-review! For me, I’ll take the Kilkerran 9,10&11yr Work in Progress over the 12&16yr they put out now.
I've yet to try the 16. The 8 I sampled once, and the WIP I tried ages ago wasn't to my liking. One I'd like to come back to. I guess Kilkerran is still a victim of the SB gold rush in my market. Cheers!
@@Gwhisky I got the 16 at RRP, the 2020 batch not the last with more cherry influence, and I actually prefer the 12.... still a good dram/good value at RRP of course but underwhelming to me/was expecting more/not a memorable bottle... almost too refined - as a criticism for a lack of character rather than as delicate quality like with Glencadam - and not worth getting into too much effort to source or overpay
@@tomtomtommyism Good to know. Thanks! Hopefully I'll be able to sample it at some point.
@@Gwhisky that batch was 96% bourbon 4% marsala casks and the last one is 70% bourbon 30% sherry so that might be a different story but because of that experience I'm to too interested unless by some miracle I see it on the shelves on a local shop....
I toured Kilkerran distillery (along with SB) in 2016, a couple months before the release of this 12yo. So when the 12yo eventually came out, I was hyped for it and wanted to love it. And I didn’t.
Flash forward to this year and I’ve already gone through two bottles of it in 2022. Is it better now? Yep. Have my tastes changed in the last 6 years? More than likely.
Important to be aware that we change, too. Often times as much as the whisky! Cheers Jason, glad you're enjoying it nowadays!
I blind compared KK12 to SP10, extremely similar drams in the scheme of things and very difficult to tell apart to me. The SP10 had a more ashy type of peat, but nothing separates them in terms of quality. I think there's an element with SP10 of absence making the heart grow fonder
Yeah the quality really is similar. I like that the 10 is a bit grubbier, but really they're quite comparable. Cheers Jim! 🥃
Some friends and I did a blind tasting the other evening of SB10 and Kilkerran 12 and we literally couldn't tell them apart.
I'd really recommend, if you're lucky enough to have both bottles to give it a try. It's scary how similar they are.
It does seem to be getting more Springbank-y, doesn't it? Yeah I'll give that side-by-side a go!
Hey Geoff! It has been a while. I was travelling for work and even though I have been following all your videos, did not get much of a chance to interact.
Great to see you on the OSWA awards and on the live session with Roy. 5am drams and some good times.
Kilkerran 12 and in fact all Kilkerrans to me are the gateway Springbanks. For the uninitiated and the curious, this is what I always recommend to dip their toes in the Campbeltown loch. Softer and more accessible than its robust big brother but beautiful
By the way, I stopped by Campbeltown on my travels and got to taste a 32 year SB straight from the barrel. Heaven. And then promptly lost my mind and bought as many bottles as I could from their store including a cage bottle.
I would love to see a video where you list the "missing malts at OSWA". Also, have you tried the Kilkerran 16?
It's been a while, sir! Really happy to see your name pop up again. Kilkerran really does seem to be getting closer in style to Springbank these days. Have you tried the newer version? I'm going off of memory, but I find it to be different and more in line with what I like in my Springbanks.
A 32 year old SB, eh? Well now... someone's showing off! I'm sure it was absolutely incredible.
Missing from the OSWAs. One to consider!
Again, good to have you back. Cheers!
@@Gwhisky Ha! I did the barley to bottle tour. They include a warehouse tasting where I got to taste that elixir of the gods. I also got a society bottling which I am keeping in an underground bunker guarded by sharks with lasers on their heads. By the way that tour is incredible and strongly recommended. You also get to vat your own cask strength 700ml whisky from 6 different types (FF Bourbon, FF and SF Sherry, Sauternes, Port and Rum). It is quite a treat.
Yes, I have a newer Kilkerran 12, 8 cask strength oloroso and the 16. I think they are still more approachable than the Springbanks, at least to those who are unfamiliar with the Campbeltown taste. I find SB's to have little more depth and nuances.
I'd have this over Springbank any day
I'd give SB10 and KK12 the same score too. SB10 is a bit complexer imho, but KK12 feels thicker/heavier/more concentrated to me.
Well said. Agree! 🥃
I have been advocating for years for more transparency not only regarding natural colour and filter method used (heavy chill-filtration, light chill-filtration, barrier filtration etc.) but also Cask information. For instance, the distillery which people most confuse Kilkerran with, Kilchoman in Islay, uses a bar method to show Sherry cask/Bourbon barrel percentages. If the bar line is 75% of one colour and the rest another colour for instance, it means 75 Ex-Sherry casks and 25% Ex-Bourbon Casks
By the way, if you see a whisky with a symbol which looks like a U inside an O (such as Tomintoul 18, or Glencadam 10), or if you see "KLBD" with a picture of a house roof (such as Bladnoch 11 or Bowmore Tempest) and there are many others, then this is a sure sign that there has been no (or almost no) Sherry or wine maturation used in this expression. These are all various Kashrus organisations who put their certification on the labels signifying that these bottles are kosher for Orthodox Jewish consumption. The main problem as far as kashrus and whisky is concerned is the use on non-kosher grape based (wine) casks. So seeing a kosher certification indicates that the whisky has no (or little) sherry cask maturation in the vatting.
You will also see these symbols on many other products in the supermarkets such as Crisps (Chips), crackers, sauces, drinks and a million other products.
OU - Orthodox Union of Rabbis, United States.
KLBD - Kashrus London Beth Din
"OK" (A K inside an O) is Orthodox Kashrus, New York.
MK- Manchester Beth Din
Star-K (A K inside a Star) is Star K of New Jersey.
and many more...
That's wonderful information, Reb. Thanks, I had no idea! It seems those symbols don't show up on products intended for the Asian markets (just checked my Tomintoul 18), but very useful info for those in the west! Cheers. 🥃
Got a bottle of this on the way. I managed to get a bottle of Springbank 15 the other week but I preferred Glen Scotia 15. I wonder how much opinions on whiskey depend on what you eat before tasting? For some reason I enjoy lots more different whisky when I’ve had spicy food???
Hah I can't say I often eat spicy food around whisky, but I'm sure it would have an effect. More studies needed. 🌶️🥃
A little salt, malt and faint smoke. What's there not to like about Kilkerran 12? It was/is a good value but has become a little hard to find now. Good to see you came to a different conclusion since your last review of this bottle.
Yeah it's fantastic. Not interested in sticking to my guns when it comes to scores. My tastes can change as much as a whisky does. Cheers buddy!
Like everything from Springbank, Kilkerran is unobtainable in Bulgaria. There is no importer so the only ways one can get their hands on a bottle is to purchase it from abroad or hoping somebody to sneak a couple of cases of this or that expression and sell them online.
I managed to buy a bottle of Kilkerran 12 (2017 release) 3 years ago. I was passing near some absolutely invisible liquor store, peaked through the window and saw the very recognizable label of Kilkerran. I stormed inside and asked to check the bottle. It turned to be Kilkerran 12 and the price asked was roughly 36 euros. Bought it immediately. The lady in the store had absolutely no idea what she was selling. She was even unaware that the bottle goes with a tube. The bottle is still unopened in my stash, but I'll open it someday. I have no particular expectations of the malt to be something out-of-this-world. After all it is 36 euros 12 yo malt whisky. No more, no less. I'm sure it is very well put together and provided it is not that far from say Springbank 10, chances are I'm going to like it a lot. Still, time will tell :)
The whole Springbak mania makes people believe that Springbank and Kilkerran are some gods nectar in a bottle. Well, no whisky is. They are just very well made, by people who have a passion for it. The results are very nice but in the end believing that each and every expression of Kilkerran and Springbank to score 90+ points out of 100 on a regular basis is a fallacy.
Cheers!
Not God's nectar, just very good. I'd score most of the SB I've had in the late 80's early 90's. It's incredibly consistent and excellent whisky. Is it overhyped? Yes. Does the brand deserve a lot of hype? Yes. The whole Campbeltown gold rush situation is incredibly annoying, though.
The 12 was very different a few years back, if memory serves. I'm sure you'll enjoy it though. At €36 the value is excellent, even the bottlings from years ago. Cheers!
That's my permashelf whisky ❤️🔥
It's a great one! 🥃
Great review, in my country almost every whisky from Campbeltown is near impossible to get, aside from Glen Scotia 15. Btw are you planning to do a Lagavulin 8 review in the future ? I am debating myself which Laga should I buy first 8 or 16. I am relatively new to the world of scotch whisky and I never had Lagavulin 16 before. I know that it's status is legendary in the whisky world, but it's twice as expensive as the 8 yo where I live. I also heard that Laga 8 is quite good. Can you give me some advice, is 8 good enough or should I go for 16 ?
8 is peatier and louder. I like it. The 16 is gentler, fruitier, and more sophisticated. They both have their charm. I'd say you're good going with either. I'll be reviewing the 8 quite soon!
Lag8 is young and the 16 is expensive.
Lag8 is debatably more refined than the Ardbeg 5 Wee Beastie but the Ardbeg10 is the King of affordable peat. 46%. Non colored and non chill filtered.
The Lag 16 should be available everywhere, try a dram at a bar before you commit to much of your budget when you get 2 bottles for the price of one.
Same with Laphroaig 10. Try before you buy.
I recently went back to my Lag8 after I decanted it a long time ago. It's really good. More sweet and complex that the Wee Beastie
"People change, whisky change, welcome to my TED talk"
#deepthoughts
Hi Geoff ! In my country ( Georgia ) sold 95% masmarket prodact : J.W. Balantains , Jamison , Teachers , J & B , Glenfiddich , Glenlivet ... and people buy whisky in online market Germany , Nederland , GB . I see OSWAs and i think its very interested awards . sorry my English ) Cheers !
Sorry to hear that, Light. It's certainly frustrating being in a whisky market where availability is very limited. There's always the online order option, but that gets expensive quickly. Hopefully the local market there in Georgia will start growing in the future. At least you have access to lots of wonderful affordable wine! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I hope in the future in Georgia will be meny whisky relase . You rigth we heave good wine , i also heave a small winery and i make vine " Khvanchkara " semy sweet and semy dry . If you come in Georgia i will treat you to my wine : )
I have it the other way around. I loved the old thinner bottle. The new one lost the Glengyle magic and it is now just another Springbank. Still a great dram, but we lost some whisky diversity with the new one. Oh and some peat as well. The new one is definitely less heavy on the peat. And it is way more expensive. :( P. S. I tested the old and the new bottle just two days ago. Along with Compass Box Orchard House, which strangely I find a bit similar to the old Kilkerran 12 bottle (similar tasting notes - though more floral and honey and less lemon etc.).
I agree that it's closer to SB nowadays, which might explain why I like it more. Matter of taste! Still got to get my hands on that Orchard House... Cheers!
Jeff could you do one on Longrow Peated Campbeltown? Thanks.
I'll get to it! 🥃
Deep thoughts with the G-man! Sign me up! ;)
About as deep as a pool for toddlers. 😂😂😂
I'd love to try the newer version but it's going for 15,-20,000 yen in Japan (about $120-150), which is only marginally cheaper than Springbank 10 at 20,000 yen. Ouch, though, based on your review, It does sound tasty.
Damn! That's frustrating. I don't think it'll stick around for much longer here in Taiwan, either. Once the current stock sells out those secondary market prices will start rearing their ugly heads...
Ok, I'll have to buy this then... gah.
Kilkkeran is a Wonderful dram
Definitely!
If Im not mistaken, thought you said that Springbank was not all that some vids ago? 😁
And I was wrong. 😂
Try the heavily peated, it's dammed bloody good
I had a heavily peated WIP ages ago and found it young. I'll definitely revisit the line if I ever see it again.
Was lucky today and found one for 47€. No surprise it was the last on the shelf.
Jackpot! 🥃
Found a whole box in Muzha today.
Jackpot. Haven't seen a bottle in Taipei in ages! 🥃
Today I was able to buy two bottle $90 per each. Can’t wait for tasting it.
Great. Enjoy! 🥃
@@Gwhisky thanks for good clips always.
Now I will give it a second chance! Like you, I didn't love previous edition, but the flavor profile of new bottling now sounds so great! thanks for the review! 🥃🥃🥃
I hope they still have it at My9! It's worth trying again!
I love Both Spring Bang and kilkerran,but there is something special about kilkerran,That being said my first love is Springbang
Same here!
@@Gwhisky what's your opinion on Jura 12
4:45 That's interesting I hear most people say its better than SB10. You think SB10 is still better? Is SB10 thicker/oilier or is the Kilkerran oilier?
Interesting review. I may have to try this again. I remember it as fine, nothing offensive but nothing exciting. Also I’ve been a philosophy professor so if you need a consultant for your new channel hit me up!😂
Hired! Work for free, yeah. Money's just currency that we've arbitrarily assigned value to, after all. 😂😂😂
I was too late this year. Any idea wherein Taipei I could still get one?
Mine was from My9. I went in to my local My9 yesterday only to find it was all sold out there. Hopefully there are still some around, but I'd move fast!
That's what they told me, too. Why did I hesitate when I had the chance?
Would you say that if the SB10 is on par with the Kk12, then the SB10, being 2 years younger, must have used better casks to taste as .. "quality" as the kk12 which has 2 years more?
I'm sure it's a variety of factors. Keep in mind the Kilkerran 8 is at least as loved the 12...
@@Gwhisky very true
I always think kilkerran 12 reminds me of Bruichladdich laddie which is funny because the heavily peated reminds me of octomore
I kind of see it!
Almost white wine style notes
Hi Geoff, trouble is now that springbank is nearly impossible to get whisky enthusiasts are now snapping up kilkerran and its going to go the same way, unfortunately. Slàinte Geoff.
Yeah KK got caught in the periphery. The bottles here in Taiwan will get snatched up in time, and the secondary market prices will start to pop up. Such is life these days, unfortunately. Cheers David! 🥃
Please do try the Glen Grant 15. Absolutely tropical & fruity!
I like GG15. Something to consider!
Ralfy absolutely despised that one. I can't talk though, I've never tried it. Likely because of Ralfy.
Changing your opinion based on new information is something I wish society was better at. Too many people pick a side and dig themselves in.
Seems we're not just talking about whisky here. Totally agree. Cheers Stephen. 🥃
Luckily it's easily available in NZ at least for now and it's "only" about 90nzd/50usd
That's very fair! Enjoy it while it lasts! 🥃
Me: “i don’t like…”
Whisky: “hold my Glencairn”
Fully agree on opinion shift. Spot on. I think this dynamic in whisky lessens with time but I’ll reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow.
😏
Agree. It's happened to me countless times over the years! 🥃
Would a bottle of Springbank 10 at the current market be seen as a steal if it sells for €60?
More than it should be... but probably as good a deal as you'll find nowadays.
Just picked this up in Houston for $75. Easy decision.
Great! Worth that price imo! 🥃
Only 10 yo available in my adjacent areas. What I've noticed as well is 2020 and 2021 bottle shape difference couldn't believe my eyes, the latest bottle is lower and wider
Anyways no springbank around in our neighborhood....
Holy cow just checked the empty bottle its not 10 its 12 ffs lol wtf is with me
Only in the Whisky reviews world is an 85 a harsh note.
I willHave to get a bottle now you think its better whisky now 89 good mark. went to Budapest whisky show Saturday and best whisky we had there was the glen scotia 12 year old seasonal release at 54.7
I've heard good things about the new Glen Scotia. It's one I plan to buy when I see it! 🥃
Kilkerran! I’ll watch the video tomorrow! But never talk shit about Kilkerran! Ha!
Hah yessir!
I purchased this for 75 USD to me it’s not as good as everyone says. I was dis appointed. I have been drinking it 2 times a week but still can’t love it. Deanston 12 / Deanston organic 14 and Glenfarclas 12 seem better and are cheaper.
That's totally fair. It's not for everyone and you're standing by your opinion. Sorry to hear you're not enjoying it much, though. Cheers. 🥃
Nah man in the US this is just as hard to find as Springbank. Very different 3 years ago when they were everywhere and under $50
I think it depends on the state. I've heard that there are a few spots where it's still available on the west coast. 🥃
My SB10 is not all that. It's more similar to the Hazelburn 10 that the KK12. Citrus. It's from 2019. It's beautiful but not that interesting.
The KK12 and the GS15 give me that all round whisky love. Loud, funky, sweet and sour and delicious.
I hear that the newer SB10 is better. Honestly I'm all stocked up on both and the GS15 is still under $100. So that's all I can say.
I'll give a pound of flesh for a SB12 or LR Red but KK12 and 16 got way to expensive recently.
These should be everyday sippers not treasured drams. I think that's the real question when you ask about SB alternative. A good everyday sippers?????
Loch Lomond 12 or even the 18, they have the specs and the low price. Tomatin cask strength is a good cheap bourbon and sherry malt. Ben(riach) romach are affordable but 43% is a tough sell.
I'm a massive Springbank fan. They've been hyped up too much, which is definitely frustrating. The Campbeltown gold rush is annoying and it's denying us access to what should be affordable and available whisky. Let's hope it passes at some point, but I won't hold my breath. I agree that as a value proposition, Springbank and the like have lost a lot of their shine. But I place them far above most of the more value-friendly whiskies you mentioned. For me it's a matter of if I can get them for a decent price. I'll always be happy to come back to them.
It's a very good whisky. Unfortunately it is going the way of SB. Just one year ago I got a bottle for $55 USD. Now it's $100+. I know things are going up but that's insane. Don't think I can justify it at that price.
No it's too much in some places now. It's not worth double its previous price. Some markets seem to be luckier than others...
Cannot believe there was a period when you didn't like Oban....!!!👀
Hah crazy, eh? 😂
@@Gwhisky Yeah...it's like a Cardassian not liking Kanar or a Klingon hating Blood Wine😅
@WhiskyWolf514 Hah! You're a nerd, my good sir, and I love it! 🥃
@@Gwhisky and I shall thank you and gracefully accept that compliment good Sir! 😁🥃
" It has been a while since I last looked at it"....👀
.......👀👀
...........👀👀👀
That's what she said.
😂😂😂
I think it's you that changed rather than the Kilkerran. I've been drinking it for years and I don't think it's changed. Unfortunately it's followed the Springbank route to obscurity. It sells out in minutes in the U.K. If you have a source in Thailand I suggest you stock up whilst you can. WT
Did you mean obscurity or absurdity?
We are looking for good reliable and affordable craft presented drams. We've got campbeltown up on a pedestal like the holy grail. It's just whisky.
My first KK 12 was a splurge at $69. Now it's almost double and the 16 is $159+.
C'mon man!
@@jackthepickledhound I quite agree Jack. As I said, it's virtually impossible to buy. The retail price in the U.K is pretty reasonable at about £40 a bottle for the 12 and £60 for the 16. I would never buy them secondary.
@@welshtoro3256 and Asian also with the absurd prices. By which I mean Japanese. I found a Nikka By the Barrel for $65 once upon a time and that's the only Japanese whisky I have.
I've a few Paul John, Amruts and Kavalans but Japanese? Hahaha
To be fair I said it's likely both. I might pop my older bottle at some point for a side-by-side. It'll be interesting to see what's changed. The new one seems much fruitier and less peaty.
Taiwan btw. Not Thailand. 🥃
I'm so puzzled as to why there is Chinese written on the label.
Because I live in Taiwan and I bought it here.
@@Gwhisky ohh, ok, don't tell any body about that blonde moment of mine. It's our little secret! ;) hehe
Newer bottles, do not say unchill-filtered, and no color added. You do you have to go to their website to get that now? I didn’t like that.
I tried the Kilkerran 12 and found it extremely boring. No character. Then I won the lottery to buy the 16 and everyone said online that it was more tamed than the 12 so, didn't buy it.
Fair enough. Matter of taste! 🥃
Lost, to me it's such a unique whisky, how they get that big farmyard hay, with all of the other subtle notes is beyond me. You literally gwt a chew with this 12 and it just leaves yiur mouth in a really nice lingering new environment. Too good 🤣 But you're also right, its a subjective and all a journey...
@@andrewmckay2037 What’s good about this whisky is it’s price (80$ CAD) but it would really benefits having higher ABV. I’d love to try the 8 years old CS!
I've got the older bottles and the last time I opened one, I remember it as a keeper. I bought extras. I would be more likely to open one of these than to break into my Springbanks now that they are harder to find.
Agree. This is my new alternative to Springbank! 🥃