Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 13 is a small-batch, cask-strength single malt from Glengyle Distillery in Campbeltown—a whisky region celebrated for its oily texture, coastal edge, and robust, characterful style. This “Heavily Peated” line is deliberately different from Kilkerran’s typically lightly peated house character: it’s released twice a year, bottled at cask strength, and made with heavily peated barley (around 45 PPM), delivering a bolder, smokier interpretation of Campbeltown.
The producer: Glengyle Distillery (Kilkerran)
Glengyle is one of Campbeltown’s historic distilleries, founded in 1872 and later mothballed for decades before being revived by the family behind Springbank. After an extensive rebuild, Glengyle distilled spirit again in 2004, bringing traditional Campbeltown production back to life for a new generation. The single malt is bottled under the name Kilkerran (rather than “Glengyle”) because the Glengyle name was already trademarked elsewhere—so the distillery chose a name rooted in local history.
Maturation & style (Batch 13)
Batch 13 is bottled at a powerful 58.6% ABV and matured in a carefully balanced cask recipe of 90% ex-bourbon casks and 10% ex-sherry casks. The bourbon casks build the whisky’s creamy sweetness—vanilla, caramel and honeyed cereal—while the sherry element adds an extra layer of dried-fruit depth, gentle nuttiness, and warming spice to complement the peat smoke. It’s typically presented in an “authentic” style: un-chill filtered and with no added colouring.
Tasting notes
Nose: A rich, dessert-like opening with creamy butterscotch and baked-fruit tones, then a floral lift and a rising wave of smoke. Hints of vanilla sweetness and subtle herbal freshness appear as it opens in the glass. Palate: Bold peat smoke wrapped around juicy fruit notes (think melon and orchard fruit), with a savoury, umami-like depth that’s quintessentially Campbeltown. The high strength gives intensity, but the structure stays balanced and precise. Finish: Long, smoky and warming—evolving into herbal/citrus accents and honeyed, toasty notes with a firm oak grip that lingers.
Serving suggestion
Enjoy neat if you like full power, or add a few drops of water to open the aromas and soften the edges—especially rewarding at this strength.
