St. Kilian Exceptional Range ex Mugi Shochu – Mild
With the Exceptional Range ex Mugi Shochu, St. Kilian ventures into uncharted territory: a single malt matured in an American white oak cask that previously held Japanese mugi shochu – likely one of the first bottlings of its kind outside Japan. The result is a delicate, perfumed-floral whisky that marries Far Eastern elegance with Franconian craftsmanship.
The panel
Mean 84.0 · spread 0
Value for money 0/5
- Distillery
- St. Kilian
- Type
- Single Malt
- Country
- Germany
- Age
- 6 years
- Strength
- 55.5% ABV
- Character
- delicate
Tasting
Nose
Crisp nashi pear greets immediately, accompanied by delicate apricot tones and a whisper of apple blossom. The bouquet feels perfumed and light, almost weightless – like strolling through a Japanese orchard in full bloom. A refined, elegant opening that builds anticipation for the first sip.
Palate
Fine and creamy, the first sip settles in with a silky vanilla note that seamlessly transitions into crème brûlée. Beneath it lies a delicate fruit tart, gentle and not overly sweet, lending a pleasant baking spice to the flavour. White pepper adds a subtle accent at the close, introducing the faintest hint of heat.
Finish
The finest oak notes lead the way out, accompanied by a delicate cherry blossom. Lemon zest and an unmistakable touch of yuzu provide a fresh, citric send-off – elegant and clear, like the whisky itself.
Verdicts
Marcel
Extremely fresh, delicate, and surprisingly multifaceted – the Exceptional Range ex Mugi Shochu is a whisky that wins you over with quiet refinement. The slightly funky character from the shochu cask lends it a distinctive edge that makes this single malt a genuine experience.
Sascha
A remarkably delicate single malt that reveals its complexity gradually, layer by layer. The Japanese cask origin manifests in a fresh, almost ethereal aromatic profile with a subtly funky undertone. Technically convincing in its restraint – finesse was chosen over force here.
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.