Tasting notes·St. Kilian

St. Kilian Whisky Solera – Peated – III (2024)

The third release from the St. Kilian Whisky Solera system, this time as the second smoky bottling, impressively demonstrates what is created when patience, cask expertise and vision come together.

The panel

Marcel
82
Sascha
86

Mean 84.0 · spread 4

Value for money 3/5

Distillery
St. Kilian
Type
Single Malt
Country
Germany
Strength
57.6% ABV
Character
rich

Tasting

Nose

Intense red fruits, dark prunes and juicy blackberries dominate. These are joined by brown sugar and almost dark, slightly burnt caramel. The smoke deliberately remains in the background - a subtle, associative hint of fresh roof truss rounds off the experience.

Palate

On the palate, the whisky is sticky and dense, almost syrupy - but without being overloaded. The sweetness of the PX casks comes through immediately, paired with sultanas, a hint of dark chocolate and subtle peat smoke, which plays harmoniously around everything. A spicy undertone provides structure and depth.

Finish

The finish is long, voluminous and warming. It once again brings the chocolaty depth and a pleasant portion of oak spice without dominating. Dried fruit remains present, while a spicy, dry finish slowly unfolds.

Verdicts

Marcel

The Solera Peated III is a charming companion for those seeking more than just a quick dram. The combination of smoke and fruity sweetness feels like a little adventure – complex, lively, and with enough depth to keep surprising you time and again. A pleasure that leaves you wanting more without ever overwhelming.

Sascha

This Solera cask construct impresses with its balanced structure and harmonious interplay between peaty smokiness and sherry-rich fruitiness. The maturation reveals a precise cask selection that makes the whisky multi-layered without ever feeling overloaded. A technically accomplished example of complex cask aging with a long-lasting, spicy finish.

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.

Source

Tasting note and scores by WHISKY:EDITION — tasted by Marcel and Sascha, published 2025-05-05.