St. Kilian ex Sherry Oloroso Single Cask – Ultra Heavily Peated 2017/2024
What the distillery delivers with this Ultra Heavily Peated Single Cask from an ex-sherry Oloroso cask is a statement: Germany can also produce extreme whisky! After 6 years of maturation (2017-2024) in a large-volume American oak cask that previously housed Oloroso sherry, a monster has been created here. Before we get started, a serious note: this whisky is not for beginners! With 135 ppm (parts per million) phenol content and 58.90% vol. this is a whisky that will make even experienced peat lovers sweat. For comparison: a Ardbeg Corryvreckan has around 50 ppm, a Lagavulin 16 Years around 35 ppm. So we're talking about three times as much in an already smoky whisky!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Surprisingly, the nose is almost restrained - like a sleeping dragon. The first impression is bacony and warming, followed by intense cocoa and dark chocolate notes. A hint of wild berry sneaks in discreetly, but beware: this is the calm before the storm!
Palate
And then everything explodes! Volume non-stop - this whisky knows no pauses. Mocha meets malty sweetness, while black pepper assaults the taste buds. The oily texture coats the palate like lava, and the burnt flavour reminds you that there really are 135 ppm phenols at work here. This is not a whisky to drink on the side - this is an event!
Finish
The finish is earthy and dirty - in the very best sense! Charred wood dominates, accompanied by a slight sweetness and a good portion of oak. The sherry cask makes a subtle return here and provides some balance to the smoky intensity.
Thoughts
Marcel 80/100
This St. Kilian Ultra Heavily Peated is not for the faint-hearted, but that’s exactly what makes it so appealing – a smoky beast with a hint of sherry that’s a lot of fun and full of character. If you’re into intense flavors and not afraid of a bit of fire, this is definitely one to grab.
Sascha 84/100
With an impressive phenol concentration and a well-balanced interplay between smoke and subtle sherry notes, this single cask demonstrates clear structure and depth. Despite its extreme intensity, the whisky feels controlled, with the sherry cask acting as a moderating influence that rounds off the overall profile.
Value for Money: Expensive
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84/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does maturation in an ex-Sherry Oloroso cask influence the flavor of this heavily peated whisky?
The ex-Sherry Oloroso cask imparts subtle sweet and fruity notes that balance the intense smoke and phenols. This creates flavors of cocoa, dark chocolate, and a delicate wild berry note, adding complexity and depth to an otherwise very smoky profile.
What does the high phenol content of 135 ppm mean for the drinking experience?
A phenol content of 135 ppm is extremely high and delivers an intense smoky character far beyond most whiskies. This makes for a powerful and challenging drinking experience, with strong aromas of burnt wood, bacon, and black pepper. This whisky is therefore not suitable for beginners and demands a seasoned palate.
How should this Ultra Heavily Peated whisky be best enjoyed?
Due to its high alcohol strength (58.9% ABV) and intense smokiness, it’s best enjoyed slowly and neat, perhaps with a few drops of water to open up the aromas. It lends itself to a meditative drinking moment where you take your time to explore the complex flavor nuances.