St. Kilian's Royal Tasting
- Ernie - Ernst Scheiner
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
At the end of the year, St. Kilian Distillers invites you to the Royal 'pre-New Year's Eve Party' . They will be presenting sensational whiskies from their distillery in Rüdenau near Miltenberg, Frankonia
Whisky creator Mario Rudolf, together with managing director Philipp Trützler , brand director Andreas Kreser, master distiller Lars Baethcke, and marketing manager Kai Bentlage, created single malts whose aromas and tastes ignite a brilliant firework display in the nose, on the tongue, or on the palate.
St. Kilian whiskies mature in nearly 400 different cask cultures, including barriques that previously held wines from the finest French vineyards. These French oak wine casks are easily recognizable by their hazelnut wood hoops.
Together with the renowned royal entrepreneur and brewer Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, they developed a collectible connoisseur's treasure with precious contents.
The St. Kilian single malt whisky matured in a Première Cru barrique made of the finest French oak, which had previously enhanced the delicate spice, cassis, and manifold aromatic notes of Bordeaux red wines from the D.O. Pauilliac. This is the ancestral home of the world-famous Grand Cru wines from vineyards with decades-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The great wines of Châteaux Lafite Rothschild , Mouton Rothschild, and Latour originate from this appellation. They are the crème de la crème of French winemaking.
Philipp Trützler is delighted that the Franconian royal whisky crowns King Ludwig , the elegant, noble Royal Nymphenburg porcelain decanter he proposed.
The good news: Whisky lovers can participate in the web show with the St. Kilian Sample Selection Box. Its professional presentation promises, as before, whisky entertainment and education at high levels.
And: That evening they will enjoy also the most expensive single malt whisky which has ever been created by a German distillery, made in Bavaria.
The unfortunate surprise is that St. Kilian Whisky creator and mastermind Mario Rudolf will not be providing his expertise, vivid descriptions and charm to accompany the royal presentation, as is usually the case at the Kilian shows (see press release).
The Exclusive Feature: The handcrafted decanter, made of pure white Nymphenburg porcelain, is a most precious object that will delight not only whisky collectors. Holding it in your hand is not only a pleasure but also lends the St. Kilian whisky a radiant, exquisite aura. The golden stopper further enhances this visually striking impression. The royal Nymphenburg decanter is a piece of Bavarian whisky history.
The St. Kilian Show is produced at the foot of King Ludwig's castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein in the Resort Hotel Ameron and will be broadcasted live on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Author: Ernie Scheiner
Majestic indulgence at the end of the year
What is behind St. Kilian Selection?
Press release by St. Kilian Distillers
"Rüdenau, December 2025
On Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., St. Kilian Distillers will invite you to an elegant online tasting. Under the motto "A Royal End to the Year," participants can expect a stylish conclusion to the year – festive, exquisite, and characterized by royal indulgence.
The highlight of the evening is the King Ludwig – Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whisky, created in close collaboration with Prince Luitpold of Bavaria from the venerable House of Wittelsbach. This bottling is a tribute to Bavarian history and craftsmanship. Matured in fine sherry Pedro Ximénez casks, it embodies refined aristocracy in a glass.
Furthermore, participants can look forward to a second royal premiere, which will be presented exclusively this evening. This exceptional creation – another Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whisky, matured in a fine ex-Pauillac-Bordeaux Premier Cru single cask – was created in collaboration with the Royal Porcelain Manufaktur Nymphenburg. Bottled at 57.8% ABV in a precious porcelain bottle, this masterpiece is among the most exclusive whiskies St. Kilian has ever presented.
The rest of the lineup transports you to festive and comforting world of aromas: Alongside the royal editions, a second, milder bottling from the popular Whisky Solera by St. Kilian series takes center stage – its rich and elegantly spicy notes are a perfect match for the contemplative season. The tasting is rounded up by the new, smoky Signature Edition SEVENTEEN, as well as a similarly smoky single cask bottling from a rare Vin Clair Champagne cask.
The line-up is completed by popular bottlings such as the mild and fruity St. Kilian CLASSIC, the peated Core Range Edition St. Kilian PEATED, the fruity Signature Edition SIXTEEN, and the creamy and sweet ADVOCAAT egg liqueur, which rounds off 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 of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein – a magnificent setting that lends the tasting a particularly festive ambiance. The evening will be hosted by St. Kilian founder and CEO Andreas Thümmler, brand ambassador Christoph Albietz, and Prince Luitpold of Bavaria – great-grandson of the last Bavarian king, Ludwig III.
Together they provide insights into the history of the Wittelsbach cooperation, the art of barrel maturation and the creative philosophy of St. Kilian.
Whisky lovers have until December 18th, 2025 to secure their tasting set – either conveniently in the online shop or directly on site at the visitor distillery in Rüdenau.
The exclusive unveiling of a royal masterpiece:
König Ludwig – Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whiskey
– 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 most exquisite single malt whiskies in the distillery's history. Made from the finest, heritage spring malting barley, Barke®, this exceptional whisky embodies the highest level of craftsmanship and authentic raw material quality. It spent eight years maturing in an exquisite ex-Pauillac-Bordeaux Premier Cru single cask – a cask from one of the most prestigious Grand Cru wineries in the renowned Bordeaux wine region. The exceptional depth of aroma and aristocratic structure of this red wine cask lend the whisky its distinctive, refined character.
As an expression of true exclusivity, this King Ludwig – Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whisky is bottled in an exquisite porcelain bottle from the Royal Porcelain Manufaktur Nymphenburg. Each bottle is a handcrafted work of art of the highest elegance, making this bottling a collector's item of exceptional value – a masterpiece that celebrates the symbiosis of traditional Bavarian craftsmanship, exquisite cask culture, and impressive whisky maturation.
Appearance: Bright amber with reddish reflections.
Aroma: An enchanting bouquet of candied figs, ripe cherries, juicy prunes, grapes and sultanas rests on a foundation of delicate toffee, fine oak spice and a hint of noble tannins, finished with a gentle pinch of cinnamon.
Taste: A royally opulent interplay of sweet grapes, full-bodied cherries and caramelized prunes, refined by fine cinnamon notes, warm oak spice and silky-smooth tannins, unfolds a taste experience of sublime harmony.
Aftertaste: The dark, creamy fruit notes linger long and are multifaceted, carried by fine herbs, gentle oak notes and delicate tannins, before fading into a noble, dry, warming finale.
Alcohol content: 57.8% vol
RRP: €999.00 (0.7 liters)
Further details on the St. Kilian innovations
which are tasted during the online whisky tasting:
König Ludwig – Royal Bavarian Single Malt Whiskey
– ex Sherry Pedro Ximénez – Unpeated
(only 2,800 bottles available):
This exquisite bottling was created in collaboration with Prince Luitpold of Bavaria from the venerable House of Wittelsbach. This 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 matured for five years in fine ex-Sherry Pedro Ximénez casks from the renowned Bodega Ximénez Spínola in Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, this premium bottling impresses with opulent notes of ripe peaches, sweet sultanas, creamy toffee, and an elegant
Appearance : Luminous amber with golden reflections.
Aroma: A seductive interplay of aromas, including juicy baked plums, ripe peaches and sweet sultanas, is harmoniously framed by fine sherry, creamy toffee, delicate oak and a subtle hint of tobacco and herbs.
Taste: 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 lavishly coat the taste.
Aftertaste: The finale unfolds long and warmingly, in which creamy fruit jam, syrupy sweetness and mature sherry blend elegantly with fine oak and subtle 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 in the Whisky Solera by St. Kilian series underwent all three stages of the St. Kilian Solera system, with the final maturation stage consisting exclusively of Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The next tier, the 1st Criadera, comprises barrique casks previously filled with medium sherry made exclusively from Pedro Ximénez grapes. The top tier, the 2nd Criadera, consists of the finest Manzanilla sherry casks filled with smooth whisky matured in fresh American white oak barrels. This limited, six-year-old special bottling, produced using the complex, cascading maturation system renowned for Andalusian sherry and adapted for single malt whisky in Rüdenau, promises a unique tasting experience.
Appearance : Mahogany.
Aroma: An enticing bouquet of mature sherry unfolds with notes of figs, plums, dates and raisins, and is elegantly complemented by brown sugar, fine caramel, gentle oak spice and a hint of herbs and tobacco leaves.
Taste: The full-bodied sweetness of mature sherry, plums, figs and raisins blends harmoniously with muscovado sugar, ripe walnuts, delicate oak spice, creamy caramel and fine dark chocolate to create an enchanting taste experience.
Aftertaste: Creamy, velvety notes of dark fruit jam, sweet sherry and fine dark chocolate linger long and elegantly on the palate with subtle walnut accents, discreetly dry oak and a hint of tobacco.
Alcohol content: 57.5% vol
RRP: €99.90 (0.5 liters)
Solera 1964 at Bodegas Ximénez-Spinola in Jerez, Seasoned Sherry Cask at St. Kilian, Master Blender Mario Rudolf and his version of a St Kilian Criadera-Solera-System
Signature Edition SEVENTEEN
Peated (only 4,398 bottles available)
Carried by the aromas of sun-drenched sugarcane fields, this smoky single malt embodies the soul of the Caribbean, blending Jamaican, Mexican, and Barbadian rum cask aromas with Martinique Rhum Agricole influences into a whisky full of warmth, elegance, and tropical sensuality. An exotic and smoky moment of pleasure – inspired by the treasures of the Caribbean.
Appearance : Bright gold.
Aroma: Elegant peat smoke seductively complements tropical fruits such as ripe apricot, sweet pineapple, juicy peach and a hint of banana, harmoniously complemented by creamy vanilla, spicy oak and fine ash notes.
Taste: 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 round off the complex taste experience.
Aftertaste: Velvety fruit jam, sweet vanilla and subtly dry oak notes linger 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, is bottled at a robust 58.7% ABV. Vin Clair, a young white wine used as a base for Champagne, lends this smoky single malt its elegant and distinctive character. The four-year-old whisky impresses with a multifaceted array of aromas: sweet peat smoke envelops a fruity bouquet of white grapes, juicy apricots, pears, and yellow apples. Subtle spices, fine oak, and delicate ash notes round out the profile, adding depth and complexity to the whisky.
Appearance: Luminous amber.
Aroma: Sweet peat smoke envelops a fruity potpourri of light grapes, juicy apricots, pears and yellow apples, harmoniously complemented by fine oak, noble spices, a pinch of nutmeg and subtle ashy notes.
Taste: The dry fruit sweetness of grapes, apricots and pears blends with a warming melange of spices, oak wood and a piquant hint of black pepper, accompanied by fine peat smoke and subtle ash notes.
Aftertaste: Delicate, creamy fruit sweetness combines with dry and warming oak notes, fine chocolate tones, and a hint of ash to create a long-lasting and elegant finish .
Alcohol content : 58.7% vol
RRP : €69.90 (0.5 liters)
All the new releases presented will be unlocked in the St. Kilian online shop at the end of the online tasting on December 27th. Subject to availability, the editions will also be available on-site in the visitor distillery's shop from December 30th, 2025.
End of press release
Photos copyright St. Kilian Distillers
Prince Luitpold of Bavaria visits the St. Kilian distillery.
The beginning of a partnership
Photos copyright St. Kilian Distillers
Surprise
King Ludwig's port wine barrels arrived at St. Kilian Distillery
Two old, previously used 500-liter port wine casks from the König Ludwig Schlossbrauerei (founded in 1871), which had held Ludwig beer, arrived at St. Kilian Bunker City in March 2023 and were filled with St. Kilian Single Malt Whisky. The Schlossbrauerei has been owned by Prince Luitpold of Bavaria since 1976.
CTO Mario Rudolf was pleased:
"True treasures slumber in the deep, cool rock cellars of the König Ludwig Schlossbrauerei Kaltenberg in Geltendorf!...ex Port wine barrels 500l, which were used for the maturation of fantastic barrel-aged Märzen, dark Doppelbock and light Weizenbock.
We have now unearthed this treasure and transported the barrels to Rüdenau for whisky maturation.
The barrels have an intense smell that makes us extremely curious about what can be made from them."
The Kaltenberg Castle brewery has shaped the beginning of a Bavarian success story:
"The place where it all began! Built in 1292 by the Bavarian Duke Rudolf I, Kaltenberg Castle has housed a brewery since 1871. Here, 45 kilometers west of Munich, HRH Prince Luitpold of Bavaria began brewing König Ludwig Dunkel in 1976 – bucking the trend in the beverage industry at the time! With his great dedication, his good name, and his excellent team, he succeeded in reviving dark beer – König Ludwig Dunkel became the market leader in this segment throughout Germany..."
Source: König Ludwig Brewery website.
Photos copyright St. Kilian Distillers
St. Kilian Team...
From top left: Brand Ambassador Christoph Albietz, Owner of St. Kilian Distillery Andreas Thümmler, CTO and Master Blender Mario Rudolf (2), Brand Development Director Andreas Kreser, Master Distiller Lars Baethcke, CEO Philipp Trützler, St Kilian's still room with two Forsyths Pot Stills from Rothes and four wooden washbacks from Dufftown.
Photos copyright The Gateway to Distilleries
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