St. Kilian Single Cask – David’s Choice – Unpeated
The St. Kilian distillery never fails to surprise us with an endless series of single cask releases. They are consistently adventurous, continuously exploring new avenues to create unique single malts. Today's "David's Choice" comes from a cask that caught David Haynes' attention during a tasting session in Bunker City. This whisky matured for 6 years in a fresh chestnut wood cask. Today, we'll see what effect this unusual wood had on it. Note: David Haynes is one of the masterminds behind St. Kilian distillery and personally co-responsible for its planning.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Right from the start, the dark, intense color catches our eye. And just as expected, the nose doesn't disappoint. The intense aroma of freshly cut wood immediately fills the air. We discover lush notes of warm chestnuts and a dry sweetness reminiscent of raisins. Behind that, there's an aroma of dried fruits.
Palate
On the palate, this single malt continues to impress. Intense and oily, it coats the entire mouth. We taste a versatile blend of dried fruits and forest herbs. It offers a myriad of wood flavors, leaving a dry, warming sensation on the palate.
Finish
The finish is exceptionally long, especially for a non-smoky whisky. Fruit notes continue to dominate, providing a warming sensation. We're reminded of a sweet chutney, rounded off by delicate tobacco leaves and full-bodied wood tones.
Thoughts
Marcel 83/100
A whisky that surprises with its intense chestnut wood charm and is a true delight for all lovers of dark fruity, warming notes. David's Choice offers plenty of drinking pleasure and character, even if its strength can be a bit challenging for beginners – but that’s exactly what makes it so exciting!
Sascha 83/100
The unusual maturation in chestnut wood casks gives this single malt a remarkable depth and complexity, expressed through an intense woodiness and balanced fruit sweetness. Despite its high intensity, the balance remains intact, making David’s Choice a structured and intriguing bottling that will especially appeal to seasoned connoisseurs.
Value for Money: Fair
Discover our value for money winnersThis product was kindly provided to us by St. Kilian. This does not influence our rating. No payments or other benefits were received in exchange for this provision.
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82/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does the chestnut wood cask influence the flavor of the St. Kilian Single Cask – David’s Choice – Unpeated?
The fresh chestnut wood cask imparts an intense woody note with warm, dry aromas. It brings a combination of roasted chestnuts, dried fruits, and a dry sweetness that sets it apart from traditional oak-cask whiskies.
Why isn’t the St. Kilian Single Cask – David’s Choice – Unpeated overwhelming sharp despite its high alcohol content of 58.4%?
Although bottled at 58.4% ABV, its oily texture and the complex aromas of dried fruits and forest herbs create a balanced mouthfeel that softens the sharpness and enhances the enjoyment.
What makes St. Kilian’s single cask releases special compared to standardized single malts?
St. Kilian focuses on experimental cask types and limited batches for their single cask releases, giving each whisky a unique flavor profile. 'David’s Choice' is an example of this diversity, having matured in an unusual chestnut wood cask that developed distinctive aromas.