St. Kilian Signature Edition FOURTEEN – Unpeated
2025-04-24
Nose
The first impression is clear: fruity sweetness in its purest form. Peach rings, passion fruit, lychee and juicy pear form a tropical combination of flavours reminiscent of fine dessert wines - no wonder given the variety of barrels. There is also creamy vanilla, delicate cream caramel and a hint of crème brûlée. The nose is very soft, round and inviting without appearing arbitrary - an interplay that makes you want more.
Taste
The first impression is confirmed on the palate: buttery and creamy, with ripe fruit flavours of flat peach and kiwi and a restrained vinosity that is particularly evident in the middle section. The different barrel types do not work against each other here, but with each other - they create depth, but not chaos. The texture is dense and smooth, the sweetness remains present but never intrusive. A perfectly balanced interplay of fruit, vanilla and subtle oak spice.
Finish
The finish is medium-long, harmonious and very balanced. A soft oak flavour, accompanied by fine vanilla and a hint of caramel, remains pleasant on the palate. A slight tingle - the famous ‘St. Kilian funk’ - provides character and recognition.
Thoughts
With the FOURTEEN, St. Kilian has taken a remarkable step:
The combination of different types of French casks does not appear overloaded, but rather purposefully composed. The result is a multi-layered, pleasantly sweet single malt that never loses its balance.
It offers enough depth for connoisseurs, but remains accessible for connoisseurs who want to slowly approach the premium segment.
At the same time, it is proof of how strongly terroir and cask selection can shape the character of a whisky - and what happens when a distillery experiments with a clear sense of style.
Rating: 79/100 - Very Good (Marcel: 79 | Sascha: 79)
Value for Money: 4/5 - Good
Preview Image Source: Whiskybase