Sherry casks from Andalusia arrived

During a week-long "sherry journey" through Andalusia, Spain in late summer 2019, Master Distiller Mario Rudolf and Head Distiller Zoltán Fódi established numerous direct contacts on site with coopers and wineries.

Today, St. Kilian is delighted with the wonderful developments that have arisen from this trip and personal connections.

Mario Rudolf reports on exciting new barrels:

"Thanks to this personal commitment, we have gained numerous new barrels and are proud of our contacts.

For example, "Ximenez Spinola" from the Jerez region, a top-tier organic sherry producer, has now become a permanent supplier for St. Kilian.

When selecting other partners, we faced some difficulties. The quality and the people on site at many Andalusian "Tonelerias" (cooperages) and Bodegas (wineries/warehouses) were very impressive.

"Our St. Kilian Sherry Battle will remain exciting in the future"

Mario Rudolf, Master Distiller

Thus, St. Kilian decided to give many a chance initially. We are thereby fueling a small competition for the best barrels to always purchase the best quality.

Sherry barrel delivery from five "Tonelerias" in Rüdenau

We recently received a truckload of excellent barrels directly from Andalusia from the following five Tonelerias and their associated Bodegas:

- Toneleria Tevasa Jerez - Bodegas Baron Sanlucar de Barrameda

- Toneleria Hudo Jerez - Bodegas Williams & Humbert Jerez

- Toneleria del Sur (Casknolia) Montilla - Bodegas Xeranthia Jerez and Bodega Malaga Virgen Malaga

- Toneleria Juan Pino Montilla - Bodegas Sanchez Romate Jerez

- Toneleria Rodriguez Montilla - Bodegas Navarro and Rodriguez Montilla

We purchased ex-Oloroso and ex-Pedro Ximénez barrels. From Tevasa, also ex-Manzanilla barrels. These in sizes 250l (= Hogshead) and 500l (= Puncheon or Butt).

The barrels from the Bodegas in Jerez and Sanlucar de Barrameda can be described as ex-sherry barrels. The barrels from outside the Sherry Triangle from the Bodegas in Montilla and Malaga may not bear the name Sherry. However, the qualities there can be at least as excellent. The PX from Malaga Virgen, for example, absolutely convinced us!

Mellow and peated New Make matures in the sherry barrels

Now all the barrels are full and are already maturing in our Bunker City. They were filled approximately half with unpeated and half with heavily peated New Make.

We look forward to this "Sherry Battle" and we will gladly keep you updated in a few months or a few years on how our Spanish partners have performed! So, things remain exciting at St. Kilian, and further sherry projects are firmly planned.

We brought back many great impressions and ideas from Andalusia!"