Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1

Rating: 16/23 This is batch 1. OK, so Kavalan has release a malt whisky in the $40-$50 range and they're recommending it be used for cocktails? This just dumbfounds me. I'm approaching this one cautiously because although I've liked Kavalan's other offerings, the cocktail designation sounds like they might be trying to cover for something with some pretty serious flaws. N: Very tropical. The first thing that his me is actually a little hogo. There's this dryness with a woody undertone that gradually develops some depth, going from a little charcoal to not-quite-green wood, throwing in a bit of leather, and then bringing out a little vanilla. All of this is aside from the big tropical fruitiness. I get pineapple with mango, banana, papaya, and orange (or perhaps tangerine?). There's also a faint papery mustiness at times. The alcohol really doesn't show through here. It's a great nose. P: That dryness with wood and apery must hits first. The charcoal and leather are nowhere to be found.There are some nice spices in an interesting combination: cinnamon, white pepper, and ginger. None of the spices are very strong though. And of course there are the tropical fruits: pineapple, orange, apricot, papaya, mango, and maybe faint banana. There's a lot going on here, but it also has plenty of youthful energy (in a good way). There's nothing here that I'd consider to be a youthful flaw and the dryness and papery mustiness add a sense of maturity. The complexity is quite good and the balance is edgy but on point. F: Dry, tart paperiness with faint fruit that has turned slightly bitter. Faint malty sweetness perhaps. Honestly, this is the most disappointing part because it gets muddled and vanishes rather quickly. - Conclusion - Well I'll be darned: this is quite and enjoyable sipper. Seriously, why waste this on a cocktail? Side by side with the Kavalan Concertmaster, I'm now finding the Concertmaster to be thin and a bit uninteresting in comparison. Particularly considering the price difference, this one is a no-brainer (though I hear that batch 2 was more spice-centric and not as good (weird that consistency wouldn't be maintained for something allegedly intended for cocktails)). At $40, this is a solid buy. At $50, I definitely wouldn't regret buying it. At $60, it's a bit over-priced and $70 is a pass. The interesting tropical flavor is well worth trying out though. For anyone looking to add a single bottle of malt whisky with that Southeast Asian tropical flavor to their bar, this is the one I'd recommend. In fact, I actually just gifted a bottle of it because it was about the right price, is approachable, and is a good dram overall. So in terms of rating, this is at least a 16. This doesn't quite have the same power to it as Westward does and there's a bit of a bitterness that this has in comparison, but they're honestly quite close in quality. This also compares favorably with Loch Lomond 12 (16/23), though the Loch Lomond is a bit fuller. This is slightly lower ABV than the other two, so I'm not surprised that it isn't quite as full. This also fights to keep up with Amrut Peated (16/23), though it's a close fight. Huh, maybe a 15 would be possible here. Well, I've got this at 'at least a 16, but maybe a 15', so I think a 16 is where is belongs.

Nose: Honey Nut Cheerios with sliced granny smith apples that have been tossed in lemon juice. Subtle oak character comes through a little, along with some fresh thyme. Pineapple and potpurri - perfumy. Relatively bright and shiny overall, though not unappealing. Palate: That honeyed malt character comes through, along with some herbal, vegetal character. Vanilla and honey. Lightly roasted nut and oak. Dark chocolate and maybe a touch of dusty leather. Maybe a little varnish. The citrus is still here, though much sweeter and less bright. Buttermilk. Tannins mostly in texture, though there's some bitterness. Very top-heavy, with almost no bottom-end to speak of. Mostly on the front and mid-palate. Light mouthfeel. Finish: Big splash of thyme, lemon, bell peppers. Oak and waxy nuts come in, along with a nice hit of black pepper. Lemon pepper comes to mind now, and a touch of mint - which we fade out on. Medium short length. Other notes: This is like a lighter, brighter Highland. What's present in this glass is clearly informed by a palate that's pretty different from my own. This brings some unique character that, while familiar as a whiskey, differs in overall profile in a really enjoyable way. Branded as something designed for mixing, this still holds up well by itself. I could see this being an excellent glass during a hot summer evening in a sour or with some soda water. Or even simply neat. If this is what they bring for the mixing crowd, I have high hopes for their other offerings. Not something I'd feel compelled to always have in my home bar, but something I can absolutely suggest for somebody seeking something a little different. Cheers!

The nose starts with a mix of lightly soured tropical fruits, roasted bell peppers, and mild black pepper spice then high percentage dark chocolate and toasted walnuts followed by mandarin orange, sour cherries and pears that transitions to anise, cloves and leather with light ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with a mild bitter spice that quickly fades to a toasted marshmallow, dark chocolate mocha and walnuts followed by dehydrated mango, bananas foster and grilled pineapple rings that transitions to cloves, ginger, anise and a mild black pepper spice with low ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with a fruit smoothie of mango, banana, orange and pineapple along with light spices of anise, cloves and a mild black pepper spice. I’m pleasantly surprised that for a whisky marketed to make cocktails out of that this is quite enjoyable neat with a balance of tropical fruits, light vegetable and mild spices. The nose has a mild youthful sourness to it that doesn’t carry over to the taste that is on the thinner side and starts slightly on the bitter side but fades quickly to allow those tropical fruits, nuts and spices to come through before a fantastic creamy tropical fruit and light spiced finale. At a price of $40, this is a rare steal in today’s whisky market that I think most would really enjoy and is a great start to my mini Kavalan series. Thanks @ContemplativeFox for the generous sample.

Something about travel changes perspective and alters course of …everything, I guess. I’m not trying to be poetic, but had I not been in Taiwan and been curious about local distilling everywhere I go, I may not have found this brand. Truly it’s an instant favorite. I wish this were a cologne. Words come to mind that I don’t think I’ve used in a tasting: earthy, mineral, reminiscent of grain teas (like the coffee alternative kind.) Immensely drinkable, probably owing to low proof but really pops on the nose and palette. The locals seem to be sleeping on this one in lieu of big name imports. In this case, the accolades are warranted and I trust the global community of proponents and honest single malt lovers. Highly recommend you try this at any price point, ideally on a good night where you are open to something novel but familiar. Looking forward to other cask configurations in their subsequent offerings.

The color is dark caramel (all natural). The smell is sweet and at the same time pungent, of caramel, anise, plums, pineapple and a pinch of pepper. In the background, a certain hint of rubber that gradually fades but remains present. On the palate, the fruity flavors are strengthened, remaining wrapped in caramel, with the addition of milk chocolate and a marked saline note. The flavors are a little fleeting, flicks that appear and disappear in the mouth, without much substance, quickly letting alcohol and still the gum perceived in the nose emerge. Fairly short finish, fruity and salty with a touch of spices.

Totally into the Indian single malts so figured give this one a go. Nose is candied fruits with soy sauce and light oak. Palate brings some good full malt, fruit with a tropical flair and grandma's chop suey. Barrell tannins pop in at back end along side some cool menthol. Finish lasts with the salty fruity notes blending into dry bamboo with a mild char. Unique and tasty Im liking this but it takes a backseat to the Indian malts. Still well worth a look if you are adventurous......82/100.......This was intro level Im curious how much better higher end offerings are