St. Kilian Scorpions Crazy World – Unpeated
Nose
The nose immediately reveals the sweet character of this special drop. Dark caramel toffee dominates the first impression and is reminiscent of handmade sweets from a patisserie. This intense sweetness is cleverly counterbalanced by a beautiful oak spice, which adds structure and complexity. Behind this, subtle hints of heather unfold, lending the whole an almost poetic note.
With a little time in the glass, wonderful fruit aromas develop: ripe peaches and juicy stone fruit join the initial sweetness. The plum aromas in particular add interesting accents and give a hint of the maturation in the brandy casks.
Taste
This whisky is full-bodied and exceptionally creamy on the tongue. The texture is remarkable: velvety smooth yet with a powerful presence that integrates the high alcohol content of 54% ABV surprisingly well.
The distinct fruit sweetness is at the forefront: grapes and ripe stone fruit literally dance on the palate. But the true finesse is revealed in the spice: a strong woody spice permeates the entire taste experience and provides an interesting moment of irritation. One could almost think that peat is involved here, but it is the distinctive spice of the fresh chestnut and oak barrels that evokes this smoky association.
Finish
The finish is medium-long and leaves a lasting impression. The stone fruit, which already played an important role on the nose and palate, returns here once again and is accompanied by notes of grape must. This brandy association gives the finish an elegant, almost Mediterranean note.
Thoughts
St. Kilian Scorpions Crazy World – Unpeated is a remarkable German single malt that demonstrates how domestic whisky production has now reached a very high standard. Its sweet base character, skilfully accompanied by complex spices, makes this whisky a pleasantly powerful experience. Particularly impressive is how the chestnut casks contribute their characteristic flavour – a type of cask that is becoming increasingly important in the whisky landscape.
Rating: 81/100 - Excellent (Marcel: 81 | Sascha: 81)
Value for Money: 3/5 - Ok
Preview Image Source: St. Kilian
FAQ: The Most Common Questions
❓ Can you taste the peat in this whisky?
👉 No, St. Kilian Scorpions Crazy World is unpeated, meaning it is produced without peat smoke. The spicy note, which could be reminiscent of smoke, comes from the fresh chestnut and oak barrels. This intense wood spice can indeed evoke a slight association with peated whiskies, but it is purely wood-based.
❓ What makes barrel ageing so special?
👉 The combination is unique: ex-brandy casks from East and West Germany meet fresh chestnut casks and oak casks from the Palatinate (Kohl) and Russia (Gorbachev). This symbolic blend for German Unity Day gives the whisky a special depth, not only in terms of taste but also historically.