High-proof partnership: St. Kilian Distillers and Elch-Whisky present Franconian Vatted Malt Whisky

Craft tradition, innovation and distillery philosophy from Rüdenau and Thuisbrunn combined in Franconian co-production

Rüdenau, September 2023

The distilleries St. Kilian Distillers from Rüdenau in Lower Franconia and Elch-Whisky from Thuisbrunn in Upper Franconia have joined forces for the first time to create a unique Franconian Vatted Malt Whisky. The special bottling combines the Franconian tradition and craftsmanship of both distilleries and celebrates the rich distilling culture of Franconia. The exceptional product promises masterful enjoyment of taste and craftsmanship at the highest level.

The experienced master distillers of both distilleries have each selected an exclusive single barrel to realize this very special, purely Franconian joint production. The St. Kilian single malt whisky matured for four years in a former barrel of the Bürgstadt winery Fürst, which was first filled with Pinot Noir red wine and then for 20 years with cherry brandy. Georg Kugler, founder and master distiller of Elch-Whisky, selected an eight-year-old peated single malt whisky that was allowed to mature in a former 190-liter bourbon Tennessee whiskey barrel from Jack Daniel's. The single casks reflect the commitment of both distilleries to the highest standards of quality and were blended by St. Kilian's Master Distiller & Blender Mario Rudolf in a perfectly matched ratio.

"I have a long-standing friendship with Georg Kugler, we get along very well," says Mario Rudolf. "Both of us are brewers who also produce whiskey. So it was only natural to underpin our friendly ties with a joint Franconian production. Especially after the devastating fire in the roof truss of the brewery and distillery building at Elch-Whisky, the Franconian Vatted Malt Whisky demonstrates the willingness to stand by each other in difficult times."

The result of this partnership is a remarkable blended malt whisky that demonstrates the perfect harmony between the different styles and flavor profiles of the two distilleries. The aroma captivates with a harmonious balance between creamy vanilla, beguiling fruit and gentle smoke. The flavors of creamy fruit, the finest cherry notes and fine chocolate with spicy elements and delicate smoke accompaniment give the Franconian Vatted Malt Whisky 2023 a lasting depth and complexity.

"Our common goal was to create a unique whisky creation that reflects the quality and diversity of Franconian distillery art," says Georg Kugler. "The smooth smoke and vanilla sweetness of our single malt 'Torf vom Dorf' and the creamy, fruity St. Kilian whisky from the cherry brandy barrel are perfectly matched, resulting in an exceptional bottling that captures the soul of Franconia in every bottle."

Available in limited number

The Franconian Vatted Malt Whisky 2023 is neither colored nor chill-filtered and was bottled with an alcohol content of 50% vol. in a newly designed 0.5 liter bottle. The retail price for end consumers is € 59.90. The special edition, which is strictly limited to 920 bottles, is available both from Elch-Whisky and St. Kilian Distillers online and directly on site in the store of the respective distillery.

Tasting Notes

Appearance
Gold

Aroma
The beguiling fruity notes of ripe apples and pears as well as filigree cherry tones are accompanied by fragrant custard and fine spicy oak aromas with subtle smoke in the background.

Taste
After a deliciously sweet start with vanilla cream and bright fruit notes and delicate cherry aroma increasingly spicy with a subtle peppery spiciness, which is wonderfully balanced by creamy toffee and a hint of smoke.

Aftertaste
The creamy mouthfeel of vanilla and warming spices lasts a pleasantly long time with some fruit jam as well as dark chocolate with a hint of smoke.

Alcohol content
50 % vol

MSRP
€ 59,90 (0,5 liter)

About moose whisky

The German distillery Elch-Whisky has been producing single malt whisky in Thuisbrunn in the gourmet region of Upper Franconia since 2014. Under the leadership of the multiple award-winning brewmaster, beer and noble brandy master Georg Kugler, special whisky specialties are created there, whose malt used is smoked with peat from northern Germany and processed into wort in the in-house brewery. The distillates obtained in the cappuccino distillery mature on site mainly in bourbon, sherry and domestic acacia barrels.

About St. Kilian Distillers GmbH

The German whisky distillery from the Lower Franconian town of Rüdenau near Miltenberg am Main produces top-class whiskies and liqueurs that have been awarded more than 200 gold medals at the most prestigious competitions around the globe. In addition, awards such as "World-Class Distillery", "Distillery of the Year" and "Whisky of the Year" also testify to the top international level at which the young distillery, founded in 2012 by investment banker Andreas Thümmler and in production since 2016, operates with its whiskies. St. Kilian Distillers supports the responsible use of alcohol, about which you can find out more at https://www.massvoll-geniessen.de/. For more information on the company and portfolio, visit www.stkiliandistillers.com.