St. Kilian Signature Edition Fifteen
There is a special atmosphere in the depths of an ex-Amarone barrel from the Italian winery Claudio Lenotti. Two worlds that could not be more different meet here: The elegant, sweet Amarone character meets the wild, earthy soul of Scottish peat. The result is the St. Kilian Signature Edition Fifteen - a German single malt whisky that tells a story of contrasts and harmony at 53.5% vol.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Amarone: The connoisseur approaches his glass, and what does he smell? First my vinous elegance, then your smoky wildness. You hold back, old friend - your smoke is subtle, almost shy. Peat: I've learnt to have manners in your company. No longer the wild Scotsman who fills every room with smoke. Instead, I bring subtle ash notes, letting your fruity flavours shine. Those dirty red berries - that's you and me together. Amarone: And the BBQ sauce notes? That's new for me. I'm normally into subtle fruit flavours, not spicy barbecue sauces. Peat: That's my influence on you. I turn your elegance into something earthy and original. And your vanilla sweetness? It remains, but I temper it and give it a smoky depth.
Palate
Amarone: Now comes the moment of truth. The first sip - and here I am again with my cherries, my dark fruits. But you, my peaty friend, bring baking cocoa. Since when do you know about chocolate? Peat: This is our joint work. Your fruitiness and my earthiness create new flavours. This baking cocoa isn't sweet like milk chocolate - it's bitter, intense, with a smoky flavour. And then this black pepper... Amarone: Ah, the black pepper! I wasn't expecting that. You make me spicier, hotter. Normally I'm responsible for gentle curves, for soft transitions. But with you, I become an adventure. Peat: And you teach me finesse. Normally I'm the bulldozer on the whisky shelf, covering everything up with smoke. With you, I learn nuances, I learn how to balance fruitiness and smoke. This vinous character - that's your gift to me.
Finish
Amarone: And now the finale. This is where you show your true nature, old friend. Dry and ashy, as befits a peat. But I'm still here - my vanilla caresses your ashes. Peat: And that light oak bitterness at the end? That's both of us, matured and purified. We've spent three years together, we've learnt to complement rather than fight each other. I bring the dryness, you bring the sweetness. I the ash, you the vanilla. Amarone: Do you know what the most beautiful thing about our connection is? That we both remain recognisable, but still create something completely new. The whisky lover tastes me, tastes you, but also something that didn't exist before.
Thoughts
Marcel 80/100
A whisky that doesn’t try to please everyone but captivates with bold peat and the sweet elegance of Amarone. Those who appreciate complex contrasts and genuine drinking pleasure will find what they’re looking for here – powerful, honest, and simply enjoyable.
Sascha 83/100
The St. Kilian Signature Edition Fifteen impresses with a well-balanced interplay between smoky depth and fruity Amarone notes, supported by a clear structure and a robust 53.5% ABV. An analytically coherent whisky that stands out through its harmonious complexity and precise balance.
Value for Money: Good
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How does the ex-Amarone cask influence the flavor of the St. Kilian Signature Edition Fifteen?
The ex-Amarone cask imparts a wine-like elegance to the whisky, with notes of red berries and a subtle sweetness. It creates a harmonious link between the fruity complexity of Amarone wine and the smoky, peaty character of the whisky.
Why is the St. Kilian Signature Edition Fifteen bottled at 53.5% ABV?
The higher alcohol strength of 53.5% ABV allows the intense aromas and contrasts between the fruity Amarone notes and the peaty smokiness to come through particularly well. This strength supports the balance between sweetness, spice, and smokiness.
What makes the combination of peat smoke and Amarone wine character special in this whisky?
The combination merges the wild, earthy nature of Scottish peat with the elegant, sweet depth of Amarone wine. This creates a complex aromatic interplay with notes of BBQ sauce, dark cocoa, black pepper, and vanilla, balancing both smoky and fruity nuances.