St. Kilian Sonderabfüllung ex Apricot Brandy
When St. Kilian meets Turkish apricot brandy, you get a special edition that sparks curiosity. This single cask bottling spent four years in a French oak barrique previously used for Turkish apricot brandy – an unusual cask that lends the young single malt a distinctly fruit-forward character.
The panel
Mean 79.0 · spread 0
Value for money 2/5
- Distillery
- St. Kilian
- Type
- Single Malt
- Country
- Germany
- Age
- 4 years
- Strength
- 50.7% ABV
- Character
- mellow
Tasting
Nose
From the very first swirl, the glass radiates a bountiful fruit basket – ripe peaches take centre stage, accompanied by a juicy orange note. Behind it, a fine honey sweetness shimmers through, lending warmth and depth to the bouquet. The apricot brandy origin of the cask makes itself subtly known, giving the whole aroma an inviting, summery-fruity quality.
Palate
Creamy-soft and pleasantly sweet, an intense apricot note glides across the tongue, directly reflecting the cask influence. Ripe raspberries join in, adding a berry-fresh dimension. The texture is velvety and engaging – proof that even with just four years of maturation, a convincing mouthfeel is well within reach.
Finish
Fresh and brief, this single malt takes its leave – herbal notes lead the way before oak and a hint of charred wood follow. A short but honest conclusion that redirects focus back to the preceding fruit aromas.
Verdicts
Marcel
The Sonderabfüllung ex Apricot Brandy surprises with power and character without ever drifting into bitterness. The arc from sweet fruit to spicy depth is genuinely enjoyable and shows that St. Kilian can deliver with unusual casks too – a fruity moment of pleasure that leaves you wanting more.
Sascha
Bold and direct, this special edition displays a clear progression from sweetness to spice. The integration of the apricot brandy cask is well executed and free of distracting bitter notes, even if the short finish could use a touch more resonance. Technically sound, with the exotic cask influence as an intriguing point of distinction.
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.