St. Kilian Hedan 2021/2025
The Hedan 2021/2025 is more than just another German single malt. It epitomises the vinophile side of Franconia and combines regional identity with sophisticated maturation in Dunkelfelder red wine barrels from the Palatinate. The distillery relies here on its tried and tested "Heimatmalt" made from regional organic barley, which was allowed to mature for four years in these special wine barrels.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The first impression is impressively intense. Red fruits immediately dominate - raspberries and cherries literally jump out of the glass. An interesting hint of leather develops behind this, giving the whisky a rustic yet elegant flavour. The nose is complex and multi-layered, with a slightly tart undertone that builds up tension.
Palate
On the palate, the Hedan is surprisingly drinkable and accessible. The malty sweetness is perfectly balanced and is supported by the red grapes from the red wine barrel maturation. A hint of black pepper brings spicy complexity into play, while the slight astringency from the nose is more subtle here. In fact, a beautiful harmony develops between sweetness and spice.
Finish
The oak is present, but not dominant, and brings a pleasant structure. A touch of dark chocolate joins in and harmonises perfectly with the sour cherry notes. The finish is long and complex - exactly what you want from a well-matured single malt.
Thoughts
Marcel 70/100
With the St. Kilian Hedan 2021/2025, you get a young single malt that surprisingly exudes a lot of character and drinkability. The red wine casks impart a fruitiness that’s genuinely enjoyable and makes it feel full-bodied despite its youth – a real treat for anyone who likes their whisky lively and straightforward.
Sascha 78/100
The Hedan 2021/2025 impresses with its remarkable balance between malty sweetness and subtle spicy notes, carried by the red wine barrique maturation. The structure is clear, the oak well integrated, giving this four-years whisky an impressive depth – a technically solid and harmonious single malt.
Value for Money: Fair
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79/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does maturation in Dunkelfelder red wine barriques influence the taste of the St. Kilian Hedan 2021/2025?
Maturation in Dunkelfelder red wine barriques from the Palatinate region gives the Hedan 2021/2025 its characteristic red fruit aromas like raspberries and cherries. At the same time, the wine cask provides a balanced acidity and a subtle bitterness, which together with the woody notes and a hint of leather create a complex, vinous flavor profile.
What role does the regional organic barley play in the production of this whisky?
The use of regional organic barley from Franconia ensures an authentic local connection and influences the whisky through its natural maltiness and purity. This base works particularly well with the special cask maturation, giving the Hedan 2021/2025 its typical drinkability and balanced interplay between sweetness and spice.
Why does the St. Kilian Hedan 2021/2025 have no age statement, even though it has matured for four years?
The Hedan 2021/2025 is marketed as a 'No Age Statement' (NAS) whisky, although it actually matures for four years in red wine casks. The absence of an age statement allows the distillery to flexibly blend different batches and focus on flavor and cask maturation without being tied to a specific age.