Tasting notes·Destillerie Kammer-Kirsch + Rothaus
Black Forest 8 Years (2014/2022) - vom Fass
German single malt from Destillerie Kammer-Kirsch + Rothaus, triple distilled and matured for 8 years in American Oak, ex-Marsala, and ex-Madeira casks.
The panel
Mean 74.0 · spread 6
Value for money 2/5
- Distillery
- Destillerie Kammer-Kirsch + Rothaus
- Bottler
- vom Fass
- Type
- Single Malt
- Country
- Germany
- Age
- 8 years
- Strength
- 41% ABV
- Character
- rich
Tasting
Nose
On the nose, the whisky begins with red grapes and fresh orange peel, which immediately gives it a clear, fruity direction. Behind that lie caramel and burnt toast, which lend the aroma a slightly darker, toasted contour. It is precisely this tension between fruit and roasted aromas that makes the first impression distinctive and quite appealing.
Palate
On the palate, cranberries, malt, and fruity papaya come together, creating an interplay of tart fruit and mild sweetness. The texture feels both dry on the palate and juicy on the tongue, which gives the whisky an interesting inner tension. Added to this are oaky notes and an impression of dessert wine, which clearly reflects the cask maturation. Overall, the result is a good combination that remains approachable without seeming completely arbitrary.
Finish
The finish is very short and is clearly shaped by oak. Slightly bitter yet sweet notes combine with toasted and nutty accents. The finale thus leaves a distinctive, but only brief, aftertaste.
Verdicts
Marcel
The basic profile is nicely laid out: soft, fruity, malty, and with interesting influences from the different cask types. At 41%, however, this potential isn't conveyed sufficiently — depth and expressiveness are lost along the way. There could have been significantly more here, especially given the questionable price-performance ratio in this price range.
Sascha
A solid product for the mass market that deliberately relies on mildness, roundness, and sweetness for accessibility. The oak present ensures the whisky doesn't seem completely lacking in tension despite its gentle character. An uncomplicated German single malt that remains approachable without becoming boring.
What it is worth
No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.