St. Kilian Royal Online Tasting on December 27, 2025
Rüdenau, December 2025
On Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM, St. Kilian Distillers invites you to an exclusive online tasting. Under the motto "Royal End of Year Celebration," participants can expect a stylish conclusion to the year – festive, exquisite, and characterized by royal indulgence.
The highlight of the evening will be the König Ludwig – Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whisky, created in close collaboration with Prince Luitpold of Bavaria from the traditional House of Wittelsbach. This bottling is a tribute to Bavarian history and craftsmanship. Matured in noble Sherry Pedro Ximénez casks, it embodies tasteful aristocracy in a glass.
The rest of the lineup will transport guests into festive and comforting aromatic worlds: In addition to the royal edition, a second, mild bottling from the popular Whisky Solera by St. Kilian series will be featured – its opulent and elegantly spicy notes perfectly suit the contemplative season. The tasting will also include the new, smoky Signature Edition SEVENTEEN as well as a smoky Single Cask bottling from a rare Champagne Vin Clair cask.
The lineup is rounded out by popular bottlings such as the mild-fruity St. Kilian CLASSIC, the smoky core range edition St. Kilian PEATED, the fruity Signature Edition SIXTEEN, and the creamy-sweet ADVOCAAT egg liqueur, which concludes the evening with sweet harmony.
The event will be broadcast live from the AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa in Hohenschwangau, at the foot of the royal castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein – a magnificent setting that lends a particularly festive ambiance to the tasting. The evening will be hosted by St. Kilian founder and managing director Andreas Thümmler, Brand Ambassador Christoph Albietz, and Prince Luitpold of Bavaria – great-grandson of the last Bavarian King Ludwig III. Together, they will provide insights into the history of the Wittelsbach cooperation, the art of cask maturation, and the creative philosophy of St. Kilian.
Whisky enthusiasts have until December 18, 2025, to secure their tasting set – either conveniently in the online shop or directly at the visitor distillery in Rüdenau.
The exclusive unveiling of a royal masterpiece:
König Ludwig – Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whisky – ex Pauillac-Bordeaux Premier Cru Single Cask – Unpeated (strictly limited to 315 bottles): With this strictly limited special bottling, St. Kilian presents one of the oldest and at the same time most exquisite single malt whiskies in the distillery's history. Made from the finest, historic summer brewing barley Barke®, this exceptional whisky embodies the highest artisanal precision and authentic raw material quality. It spent its eight years of maturation in an exquisite ex Pauillac-Bordeaux Premier Cru Single Cask – a cask from one of the most renowned Grand Cru wineries in the famous Bordeaux wine region. The extraordinary aromatic depth and aristocratic structure of this red wine cask lend the whisky its distinctive, noble character.
As an expression of true exclusivity, this König Ludwig – Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whisky is bottled in an exquisite porcelain bottle from the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg. Each individual bottle is a handcrafted work of art of the highest elegance, making this bottling a collector's item of outstanding value – a masterpiece that celebrates the symbiosis of traditional Bavarian craftsmanship, exquisite cask culture, and impressive whisky maturation.
Appearance
Bright amber with reddish reflections.
Nose
A captivating bouquet of candied figs, ripe cherries, juicy stewed plums, grapes, and sultanas rests on a foundation of delicate toffee, fine oak spice, and a hint of noble tannins, perfected by a gentle pinch of cinnamon.
Palate
A royally opulent interplay of sweet grapes, full-bodied cherries, and caramelized stewed plums, refined by subtle cinnamon notes, warm oak spice, and smoothly integrated tannins, unfolds a taste experience of sublime harmony.
Finish
The dark, creamy fruit accents linger long and complex, carried by delicate herbs, gentle oak notes, and subtle tannins, before fading into a nobly dry, warming finish.
Alcohol content
57.8 % vol
RRP
€ 999.00 (0.7 liters)
The St. Kilian new releases for the online whisky tasting in detail:
König Ludwig – Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whisky – ex Sherry Pedro Ximénez – Unpeated (only 2,800 bottles available): This noble bottling was created in collaboration with Prince Luitpold of Bavaria from the traditional House of Wittelsbach. The high-quality rarity is presented in a decoratively designed 0.7 liter Leonis glass bottle and complemented by elegant packaging that emphasizes its uniqueness and exclusivity. Made from 100% pure organic barley ("Heimatmalt") and aged for five years in noble ex Sherry Pedro Ximénez casks from the renowned Bodega Ximénez Spínola in Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, this premium bottling captivates with opulent notes of ripe peaches, sweet sultanas, creamy toffee, and an elegant sherry sweetness.
Appearance
Bright amber with golden reflections.
Nose
A seductive interplay of juicy stewed plums, ripe peaches, and sweet sultanas is harmoniously framed by noble sherry, creamy toffee, delicate oak, and a subtle hint of tobacco and herbs.
Palate
An opulent composition of rich sherry sweetness, brown sugar, and warming oak spice, accompanied by peppery accents, unfolds before creamy dried fruits, juicy peach, and melting caramel richly coat the taste.
Finish
The finish unfolds long and warming, in which creamy fruit jam, syrupy sweetness, and aged sherry elegantly merge with fine oak and subtly dry tobacco notes.
Alcohol content
53.5 % vol
RRP
€ 99.90 (0.7 liters)
Whisky Solera by St. Kilian – IV 2025 – Unpeated (limited to 728 bottles): The second, unpeated bottling of the Whisky Solera by St. Kilian series went through all three stages of the St. Kilian Solera system, with the final maturation stage consisting exclusively of Sherry Pedro Ximénez casks. The row of casks above, the 1st Criadera, consists of barrique casks previously filled with medium sherry, made exclusively from Pedro Ximénez grapes. The top row of casks, the 2nd Criadera, consists of the finest Sherry Manzanilla casks, filled with mild whisky matured in fresh American white oak casks. This limited, six-year-old special bottling from the complex, cascading maturation system, known for sherry from Andalusia and adapted in Rüdenau for single malt whisky, promises a unique taste experience.
Appearance
Mahogany.
Nose
A seductive bouquet of aged sherry unfolds with notes of figs, plums, dates, and raisins, and is nobly complemented by brown sugar, fine caramel, gentle oak spice, and a hint of herbs and tobacco leaves.
Palate
The full-bodied sweetness of ripe sherry, plums, figs, and raisins harmoniously merges with muscovado sugar, ripe walnuts, delicate oak spice, creamy caramel, and fine dark chocolate to create a captivating taste experience.
Finish
Creamy-velvety notes of dark fruit jam, sweet sherry, and noble dark chocolate linger long and elegantly on the palate with fine walnut accents, subtly dry oak, and a hint of tobacco.
Alcohol content
57.5 % vol
RRP
€ 99.90 (0.5 liters)
Signature Edition SEVENTEEN – Peated (only 4,398 bottles available): Carried by the aromas of sun-drenched sugarcane fields, this smoky single malt carries the soul of the Caribbean within it, blending Jamaican, Mexican, and Barbadian rum cask aromas and Martinique Rhum Agricole influences into a whisky full of warmth, elegance, and tropical sensuality. An exotic-smoky moment of indulgence – inspired by the treasures of the Caribbean.
Appearance
Bright gold.
Nose
Elegant peat smoke seductively caresses tropical fruits such as ripe apricot, sweet pineapple, juicy peach, and a hint of banana, harmoniously complemented by creamy vanilla, spicy oak, and subtle ashy notes.
Palate
Tropical-fruity sweetness of apricot, pineapple, and peach combines with warming oak spice and a hint of black pepper, while vanilla cream, fine toffee, and delicate peat smoke complete the complex taste experience.
Finish
Velvety fruit jam, sweet vanilla, and subtly dry oak notes linger long on the palate and fade with an elegant hint of ashy smoke.
Alcohol content
54.6 % vol
RRP
€ 49.90 (0.5 liters)
Single Cask – ex Champagne Vin Clair – Peated (limited to 595 bottles): This exclusive whisky from a rare ex Champagne Vin Clair Single Cask was bottled at a powerful 58.7% ABV. Vin Clair, a young white wine that serves as the base for Champagne, lends the smoky single malt its elegant and extraordinary character. The four-year-old whisky impresses with a multifaceted interplay of aromas: sweet peat smoke envelops a fruity bouquet of light grapes, juicy apricots, pears, and yellow apples. Fine spices, noble oak, and subtle ash notes round out the profile and give the whisky depth and complexity.
Appearance
Luminous amber.
Nose
Sweet peat smoke envelops a fruity potpourri of light grapes, juicy apricots, pears, and yellow apples, which is harmoniously complemented by fine oak, noble spices, a pinch of nutmeg, and subtle ashy notes.
Palate
The dry fruit sweetness of grapes, apricots, and pears merges with a warming mélange of spices, oak, and a piquant hint of black pepper, accompanied by fine peat smoke and subtle ash tones.
Finish
Delicate, creamy fruit sweetness combines with dry and warming oak notes, fine chocolate tones, and a hint of ash for a long-lasting and elegant finish.
Alcohol content
58.7 % vol
RRP
€ 69.90 (0.5 liters)
All new releases presented will be activated in the St. Kilian online shop at the end of the online tasting on December 27. Subject to sufficient availability, the editions will also be available on-site in the visitor distillery shop from December 30, 2025.
About H.R.H. Prince Luitpold of Bavaria and the House of Wittelsbach
Prince Luitpold of Bavaria belongs to the traditional House of Wittelsbach, one of Europe's oldest dynasties with over a thousand years of history. For centuries, the House provided dukes, electors, and kings in Bavaria and other regions of Europe, significantly shaping political and cultural development. Its historical legacy includes world-famous buildings such as Neuschwanstein, Herrenchiemsee, and Linderhof castles, which remain symbols of Bavarian history and identity to this day. Also associated with the House of Wittelsbach are significant cultural institutions such as the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg, as well as economic traditions like the Kaltenberg Castle Brewery and König Ludwig Beer. The Kaltenberg Knights' Tournament, the largest of its kind worldwide, is also organized by the House of Wittelsbach at Kaltenberg Castle.
Today, the House of Wittelsbach stands for the preservation of historical heritage, the promotion of art and culture, and social commitment. Prince Luitpold of Bavaria – like other family members – represents the family at historical and cultural events, supports foundations and social projects, and champions the preservation of regional traditions, craftsmanship, and Bavarian culture.
About St. Kilian Distillers GmbH
The German whisky distillery from Rüdenau in Lower Franconia near Miltenberg am Main produces top-class whiskies and liqueurs that have been awarded over 250 gold medals in the most prestigious competitions around the globe. In addition, awards such as "World-Class Distillery," "Distillery of the Year," and "Whisky of the Year" attest to the international top level at which this young distillery, founded in 2012 by investment banker Andreas Thümmler and producing since 2016, operates with its whiskies. St. Kilian Distillers supports the responsible consumption of alcohol; you can find more information at https://www.massvoll-geniessen.de/. Further information on the company and its portfolio can be found at www.stkiliandistillers.com.
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