St. Kilian Single Cask – Ultra Heavily Peated
When a whisky comes with 135 ppm phenol content and the malt comes exclusively from Glen Esk - a Scottish malting estate that doesn't deliver this kind of extremism to anyone else - then you can expect great things. And this 6-years single malt from an Oloroso sherry hogshead delivers.
The panel
Mean 82.0 · spread 4
Value for money 3/5
- Distillery
- St. Kilian
- Type
- Single Malt
- Country
- Germany
- Age
- 6 years
- Strength
- 58.9% ABV
- Character
- peaty
Tasting
Nose
What rises from the glass here is not for the faint-hearted. Pure campfire, no moss, no dirt - just glowing hot, dry smoke. You need a little patience behind it - but it's worth it: sultana sweetness, a fresh sugariness and light sherry fruit carefully peek out from behind the fog.
Palate
On the palate, the whisky is initially dry, oily and powerful, with a warm wave of peat that envelops everything. Then red fruits, dried fruits and malty notes set in - an almost classic combination, but served under high pressure. The Oloroso influence is present, but remains in the background: the smoke sets the tone, but the orchestra plays along.
Finish
The finish is - as expected - long, dry and clearly smoky. But there is more: spice, dark chocolate, a hint of leather and - surprisingly - a maritime note reminiscent of seaweed and coastal fog.
Verdicts
Marcel
This Ultra Heavily Peated is a true powerhouse with heart and soul – smoky to the max, yet still playful and lively. If you’re into fire, spice, and character, here’s a dramatic companion that leaves you wanting more, even if it sometimes feels a bit overpowering.
Sascha
A technically impressive single cask that shines through its clear balance between intense smoke, Oloroso influences, and fruity nuances. The precise cask selection and structured aroma composition make it an excellent example of German heavy peated whisky, even though the intensity occasionally slightly overshadows the harmony.
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.