Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask Strength
58.6% ABV - Taiwan
Nose: Crisp, white fruits (pear and nectarine), with a white wine note and moderate alcohol hit.
Taste: Remarkably light with fruits, apple, vanilla, spices and citrus. An occasional hint of pineapple and other tropical fruit.
Finish: Leading with spices, the back palate of heat gently takes over until you are left with nondescript orchard fruits.
I have really enjoyed this bottle of Kavalan and I was so excited to find this bottle on a shelf, because years ago I had tasted a different bottle from this exact cask! There are still some left, actually, at the store near me—which is impressive given this was bottled nearly 7 years ago.
This Solist is a mere 6 years old—one of the impressive results of aging in such a warm climate. It stands up next to 12- to 15-year old scotch. If you have the opportunity, it is definitely worth a try. All of the cask strength releases that I’ve tasted have been exemplary, especially the wine cask finishes (yum)!
I find that some cask strength whiskises are challenging to get into… with the Kavalan Solist, I recommend sipping slowly over an extended period or add a dash of water to help tone the excitement found in high-ABV whisky.
Details: Cask No. B101126006A, Bottle No. 33/185. Datetime stamped on the back label is 2016.04.15 09:01.
Tasting Notes (Official): Flavour: Clean & fresh tropical fruitiness with pleasant vanilla, coconut and spices. Palate: Well-balanced natural sweetness, vanilla and oak spices, round and complex with silky smoothness.
Tasted 13 March 2023. (Posted 29 October 2023.)
