St. Kilian Signature Edition Seventeen
Rum meets smoke – sounds like a Caribbean bonfire, but it's actually the latest creation from Rüdenau. For the Signature Edition Seventeen, St. Kilian matured their spirit in Jamaican, Mexican, and Barbadian rum casks as well as rhum agricole casks, letting the peat smoke tag along for the ride. The result? A single malt that acts like it just returned from a beach holiday – sunglasses on, incense stick in the luggage.
The panel
Mean 86.0 · spread 0
Value for money 4/5
- Distillery
- St. Kilian
- Type
- Single Malt
- Country
- Germany
- Strength
- 54.6% ABV
- Character
- peaty
Tasting
Nose
Sweet smoke greets first, pairing with fresh lemon in a surprisingly inviting combination. Behind it drifts a salty sea breeze – as if the rum cask smuggled some Caribbean flair into the glass. Lightly iodine notes underscore the maritime character, and way in the back, a shy blueberry peeks out, not entirely sure it belongs here.
Palate
Then things get serious – or rather: oily, sweet, and voluminously smoky. The molasses from the rum casks unfolds in full glory, meeting a tropical pineapple note you wouldn't expect in a German whisky. The mouthfeel is impressively rich and enveloping, like being wrapped in a smoke blanket woven from Caribbean sugarcane.
Finish
Here the whisky takes its time – and rightly so. Oaky spice and honey merge into a sticky-sweet farewell that simply refuses to leave. Long, warm, and with a spiciness that lingers on and on. The best parties end late, after all.
Verdicts
Marcel
Oh my – what has St. Kilian pulled off here? Sweet, smoky, and simply brilliant. The combination of Caribbean rum casks and peat smoke sounds daring on paper; in the glass, it's a bullseye. For me, the best Signature Edition of all time – and yes, I'm saying that in full consciousness. Well, almost sober.
Sascha
Technically remarkable how the sweet rum-cask molasses and peat smoke have been brought into harmony here – neither side dominates, both benefit from each other. The long, sticky-spicy finish is the cherry on top of a thoroughly accomplished bottling. If you enjoy smoke and sweetness, this will quite simply make you happy.
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.