N - like namesake
Where does the name St. Kilian Distillers come from?
In the seventh century AD, the Irish monks Kilian, Kolonat and Totnan and other followers went to Franconia on the orders of the Pope to Christianize the pagans there. They also came to Würzburg, today's capital of the administrative district of Lower Franconia. The three Irish monks are still revered there today as the Apostles of Franconia. Our name "St. Kilian" thus honors the monk from Ireland and his brothers, who impressed and convinced people more than 1,000 years ago with the miraculous qualities of Aqua Vitae, the water of life.
How did the Irish monks succeed in Christianizing the pagans?
Kilian, Kolonat and Totnan carried small copper stills with them to make Aqua Vitae. This was because the Irish monasteries already knew how to make barley brandy back then. With this distillate, they were able to convince Duke Gosbert and his wife Gailana at the court of Würzburg of its healing effects on body and soul. They succeeded in converting the ruling couple to Christianity. This gave them permission to proclaim the Christian faith in Franconia and to Christianize the pagans.
How did the water of life come to Rüdenau?
During their missionary journeys throughout Franconia, the monks also reached Rüdenau, the current location of our distillery. There they mixed their potion with the water from the Ottilienbrunnen, a healing spring where water gods were worshipped in Roman times when they guarded the Limes. What was created at this exact location is now a legend: our St. Kilian single malt whisky.
What happened to Kilian, Kolonat and Totnan?
As was customary at the time, Duke Gosbert married his brother's wife after his brother's death. However, Kilian declared that it was against the Holy Scriptures to be married to his brother's widow. When the widow Gailana heard this, she was furious. After Gosbert left for war, Gailana had Kilian and his followers Kolonat and Totnan beheaded in 689 and their bodies buried behind a stable. On Gosbert's return, she informed her husband that the Irish monks had moved on in the meantime.
How did the Irish monks become martyrs?
Around 60 years later, the first Bishop of Würzburg, Burkard, commissioned the construction of a cathedral on the site of the crime. During the necessary excavations, the desecrated bodies were discovered. According to tradition, Burkard had the remains transferred to St. Mary's Church and elevated the Irish monk Kilian and his companions Kolonat and Totnan to diocesan saints on July 8, 752. The bones of the three saints are now kept in the crypt of the Neumünster church in Würzburg.
How does St. Kilian Distillers celebrate its namesake?
To pay tribute to St. Kilian, we present a limited Kiliani edition every year on July 8, the day of remembrance of the missionary and itinerant preacher. This special single malt series reflects our deep connection with the Franconian region. So far, the Kiliani bottlings have been released under the names "Gailana", "Gosbert" and "Burkard".