Kilkerran

Kilkerran is a whisky produced at the Glengyle Distillery, which was originally founded in 1872 by William Mitchell. During its early years, it survived financial turmoil (1919–1925), then closed down and the buildings were used only as warehouses or a clubhouse – and so they have survived to this day. In 2000 (or 2004), the Mitchell family, who belong to the Springbank family, took over the site, restored it, and began distilling again, reviving Campbeltown as a recognized whiskey region.

The whisky is traditionally distilled under the Kilkerran brand, not Glengyle, as that name was already registered by another company. The name Kilkerran is derived from the Gaelic name for the location, "Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain," the site of St. Kieran's monastery, where Campbeltown stands today. The distillery initially launched limited editions from the Work-in-Progress range (2009–2015) before gradually establishing a permanent offering, with the first 12-year edition released in 2016.

Glengyle operates on a short cycle — only about three months a year — because it shares its team and capacity with Springbank. It continues to use malt from Springbank, as it does not yet have its own grinding facilities. The whisky is delicately peaty (approx. 12–15 ppm phenols) and matures mainly in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks; port casks or rum casks are also used on rare occasions. The distillery thus brings the elegance of Campbeltown – oiliness, hints of sea salt, peat, fruit and vanilla – a complex style close to the heart of connoisseurs.