St. Kilian Tag des Deutschen Whiskys (2023)
Rich, Dried Fruits2024-06-29
Smell
The nose opens robustly, as expected. We find a mélange of intense dark fruits, dominated by prunes and overripe cherries. Light spicy oak notes accompany these aromas. After some time in the glass, subtler notes of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of clove emerge.
Taste
The taste is richly sweet and extremely fruity. A wild mix of pureed summer berries goes hand in hand with raisins and cherry jam once again. The mouthfeel is oily, very pleasant, and the cask strength integrates the flavors wonderfully. On the palate, the oak becomes more pronounced. The woodiness comes to the forefront and is accompanied by nutmeg and cinnamon.
Finish
The malt's finish is medium-long. The journey continues consistently here. Now, oak tones and spices dominate. The sweetness of the dried fruits is still noticeable but takes a back seat.
Thoughts
It's no secret that we've enjoyed St. Kilian malts aged in Hungarian oak in the past – this one is no exception. Despite the relatively short maturation period and no previous cask usage, we find a whisky with great complexity and a fruitiness usually only achieved with sherry maturation. It's a shame that this edition has long been sold out. We wish you a wonderful Day of the German Whisky 2024!