Kilkerran Work in Progress 4

I walk into this pub in Birmingham, and they don’t serve food. Other than Crisps. Called the Wellington.

I would have had at least 5 more reviews to post if the credit card machine wasn’t down. They had that much amazing whisky.

They had a really interesting whisky selection, all perfectly kept up by very well informed bartenders.

In the corner was a whisky I’ve never had the chance to try: Kilkerran Work in Progress 4. Kilkerran is the “newest oldest distillery in Campbeltown.”

We heck does that mean? Well they used to be open, and then they weren’t, and now, as of 2004, Springbank opened them back up. Glengyle distillery now has been producing whisky, yet it’s not ready yet. Thus the name.

This whisky is 8 years old. Released in 2012, I’m quite surprised to see it, sitting right beside the Work in Progress 5 Bourbonwood, which I would have had if the Credit Card machine was working.

Oh well. My wife ended up buying Work in Progress 6 Bourbon wood, and has held that over my head for about 2 weeks now. Maybe I’ll get to try some at some point.

Price: N/A in Canada

Region: Campbeltown

Abv: 46%

Colour: Light yellow

Nose: Stewed vegetable, vanilla, citrus, custard, butterscotch, allspice, smoke

Starts out a little rough, which I think goes to say this is a young spirit. However given even a minor amount of time, it gets quite sweet and tasty, with nice amounts of smoke and spice.

Dammit, why didn’t I just go get more money… and not eat lunch… and probably miss my train. Also this is a little one note (vanilla, milk product, etc.)

Taste: Custard, brown sugar, raspberry, ginger, nutmeg, oak, pine smoke

No off notes at first, however after a few seconds, there’s this tell-tale pine note that tells me it’s not quite ready yet. That eventually takes over too much.

Finish: Vanilla, pine, milk, strawberry, pork fat, white sugar

More pine, and not a lot of complexity. I like it, however the pine and sugar parts really detract from the whole thing.

Conclusion: It’s not quite there yet. Close, and I’m liking where it’s going, however it needs to stay in the cask longer. The pine, the initial vegetable, and the lack of complexity on the finish all don’t help.

None the less, I’d love to try some others. Heck, I’d love to try them all, and wish I could have, however I’m happy to have tried one (and try another in the future).

78/100

Scotch review #294, Campbeltown review #15, Whisky network review #434