St. Kilian Handfilled Rye & Jack Daniels
If Jack Daniel's and rye were to meet for a cask ale in a Franconian distillery, the result would probably be exactly this whisky: the St. Kilian Handfilled Rye & Jack Daniel's. This hand-filled speciality is so atypically typical that you don't know whether to put it in the rye or bourbon drawer - or rather in both.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The whisky is surprisingly clean on the nose - almost like a freshly ironed flannel shirt in the morning dew. Malty and vanilla, with a splash of citrus, clearly St. Kilian's signature. Anyone who has ever had one of their purist drams in a glass will immediately feel at home here. No barrel fuss, no overloaded stuff - just pure clarity with style.
Palate
The first sip almost feels like a bourbon - but one with rough edges and a little beard. Dry, sweetish, vanilla-like, then suddenly oily to syrupy. And there it is: the rye. Not dominant, but clearly enough to give the dram a little rebellious note. Spicy, savoury, slightly rustic - a nice contrast to the initial sweetness.
Finish
No big fireworks, but an honest, powerful finish. Medium length, puristic, typical St. Kilian. No smoke, no frills - simply a clean finish that lingers without being intrusive.
Thoughts
Marcel 80/100
Here, German craftsmanship meets American whiskey DNA – the St. Kilian Handfilled Rye & Jack Daniel’s delights with its charming spiciness and a clear, likable personality. It’s not mainstream, but a whisky for connoisseurs who appreciate understated yet characterful drams. Drinking pleasure guaranteed – and all with a wink!
Sascha 80/100
The St. Kilian Handfilled Rye & Jack Daniel’s demonstrates an impressive balance between sweet bourbon notes and subtle rye spice, framed within a precise, clean structure. Despite its youth, the whisky feels surprisingly mature, with the medium-length, clean finish highlighting the distillery’s technical mastery. An exciting example of German-American fusion in the whisky world.
Value for Money: No rating
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86/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does the St. Kilian Handfilled Rye & Jack Daniels differ from classic rye or bourbon whiskies?
The St. Kilian Handfilled Rye & Jack Daniels combines elements of both styles: it exhibits the sweet and vanilla notes typical of bourbon, paired with a subtle, spicy rye character. As a result, it is neither a typical rye nor a classic bourbon, but rather unites both traits in a clear, purist profile.
Why does the whisky have a rather restrained finish despite its 50.7% alcohol content?
The finish of the St. Kilian Handfilled Rye & Jack Daniels is medium-length and powerful, yet deliberately free from excessive sharpness or smoke. The high strength is balanced by sweetness, spice, and oiliness, resulting in an honest and clean aftertaste that never feels intrusive.
What does "Handfilled" mean for this whisky and how does it affect quality?
"Handfilled" means the whisky was bottled by hand directly from the cask at the distillery or bottling facility, without extensive industrial processing. This ensures a particularly authentic and unadulterated bottling that clearly and faithfully reflects the character of the individual cask.