Glengyle Distillery and Kilkerran, Campbeltown’s Modern Classic

Campbeltown’s whisky identity is built on character, not volume. For a relatively small town, it has an outsized place in Scotch history, once home to a remarkable concentration of distilleries. Over time that landscape changed, leaving the region with just a handful of producers, but Campbeltown never lost its distinctiveness, oily spirit, coastal influence and a style that often feels a little more “hands-on” than elsewhere in Scotland.

The reopening of Glengyle Distillery in the early 2000s was a genuine milestone for the region. Glengyle’s original site dates back to the late 19th century, and while the historic distillery fell silent long ago, its revival brought a third active distillery back to Campbeltown, strengthening the region’s modern identity and adding further depth to the local whisky scene. Glengyle Distillery and Kilkerran, Campbeltown’s Modern Classic

Why Kilkerran is the name on the label

Although the whisky is made at Glengyle, it is bottled as Kilkerran, a nod to Campbeltown’s Gaelic name, Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain. It’s a name rooted in place, and it also allows the whisky to stand on its own terms, rather than sitting in the shadow of the other famous Campbeltown names. 

Kilkerran has built its reputation in a very Campbeltown way, through steady consistency, traditional production choices, and releases that prioritise character over constant novelty. The spirit is typically lightly peated, and the distillery’s approach rewards patience, both in maturation and in the glass.

Glengyle’s approach, character first, releases when ready

What stands out with Glengyle is that nothing feels rushed. Kilkerran has never been about filling shelves with endless variations. Instead, the range has developed through solid core releases and well judged limited editions, particularly the cask strength releases, which have become a reliable marker for the distillery’s style at higher strength.

That measured approach is exactly why Kilkerran continues to draw attention. When bottles land, people notice, not because of marketing noise, but because the track record has been strong for a long time.

Two Kilkerrans worth your time right now

Kilkerran 8 Year Old - 100% Bourbon - 57.7%

The latest Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength is matured exclusively in bourbon casks, a straightforward cask story that suits Kilkerran well. American oak can highlight texture and sweetness, while still leaving plenty of room for distillery character. At cask strength, these releases tend to show Kilkerran in a more direct, energetic form, the kind of whisky that reminds you why Campbeltown has such a devoted following. If you enjoy Kilkerran’s cask strength releases, this is the sort of edition that is usually well followed, and for good reason.

Nose: Notes of butterscotch and custard creams lead, with apple butter and white miso. Cream sponge and poached pear sweetness follows.

Palate: There is a creaminess on the palate in notes of shortbread crust and smooth caramel chocolate, with notes of gooseberries, white grapes, cigar box smoke and sandalwood developing.

Finish: Hints of green peppercorn and honeydew melon emerge in the finish, alongside an ashy note.

Kilkerran 12 Year Old

The Kilkerran 12 Year Old has become a fixture for many Campbeltown drinkers, and it’s easy to see why. Lightly peated, nicely aged and matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, it offers balance rather than extremes. It’s one of those whiskies that feels dependable without ever being dull, and it remains a strong reference point for what modern Campbeltown can look like when it’s done properly. For anyone building a bar with genuinely characterful single malt, this is a bottle that earns its place.

Nose: Notes of sweet confectionery introduce this dram,with turkish delight, pear drops and marzipan apparent on the nose. There are hints of subtle peat smoke, like toasted marshmallows by a campfire.

Palate: Initially zesty with citrus notes of lemon cheesecake and an oiliness typical of a Campbeltown whisky. Peat smoke, leather bound books and peppery, spicy notes develop over time, along with sweet sticky toffee pudding.

Finish: The peat smoke carries through to the finish in campfire embers, with sweet hints of pecan pie and butterscotch.

Why this matters for Campbeltown

Glengyle and Kilkerran are part of what makes Campbeltown compelling today. The region isn’t trying to be everything to everyone, it leans into its own identity. Kilkerran does the same, traditional in approach, consistent in quality and quietly confident in style.

Whether you’re picking up the punchier clarity of the Kilkerran 8 Year Old 100% Bourbon or the composed balance of the Kilkerran 12 Year Old, both bottles sit firmly in that Campbeltown tradition, whiskies with real personality, made with intent, and worth spending time with.

Slàinte