Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength

We arrive at the last of my Kavalan tastings. From ex Bourbon cask strength, to Olorosso Sherry cask, and now the Solist Vinho Barrique cask strength. I believe there is some variability between batches of this single cask offering but from what I can tell it matters for some of the bitter-sweet balance. But ho-hum, a single entry seems reasonable. Vinho is fully matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and re-charred to bring out fruity vanilla notes from the whisky and wood overlaid on a delicate background of complex fruitiness. The oak casks are made from American oak that has been seasoned in the open air for at least 24 months. The oak is slow grown that results in a greater release of flavours into the whisky. This reduces the astringent effect of tannins and releases more vanilla spiciness and hints of herbs such as dill and lemon grass. The result is softness and added complexity. The casks have (deliberately) been used to mature both red and white wines which eventually will contribute the background complex fruitiness to Kavalan Solist Vinho. After their use for wine maturation the casks are carefully shaved inside then gently toasted over an oak chip fire for a strictly controlled period of time and temperature. This converts wine residues into a complex mixture of fruit flavours including lime, berry fruits and peaches. Then the casks are charred for a short period of time to release lashings of flavours such as vanilla, ice cream and caramelised sugars. Blah blah blah, all sounds a bit wanky really. Will this be a case of trying to hard, or does it live up to the hype (of which there is a fair bit). N: slightly acidic, a juicy apple and pear comes rushing forward first. Beautiful and gentle caramelised sugar, a little chocolate and vanilla gently do their thing with a slight punch of vibrancy from a hit of pepper. Dig in enough and there is some melon and perhaps citrus too. Wood spice, hello. Wonderfully delicate but not shy, refined but with plenty of character. A wonderful start. Worth noting the colour too, ooph this is dark, somewhere between tawny and burnt umber. It looks delicious. A little splash of water unlocks a balsamic flair and a juicy tropical development of the apple/pear that was there to start. P: oily and slightly drying with an appreciable upfront bite that moves backwards with drying forcefulness. Burnt orange, wood spice, cinnamon, cocoa, sultanas and espresso, coconut(?). Wow, there is a lot going on here, closest thing that springs to mind is a wonderful cake batter that has just had the pantry thrown into it. Complex but balanced, everything knows where it should be. Theres a little nuttiness too. This liquid delivers. Second sip, no where near as drying (thankfully) oaky spices and the mocha like chocolate and espresso are stars now but they bring a touch of vanilla to keep things soft and approachable. This cask is 57.8% ABV, but its not too aggressive and the dash of water is taken well. Brown sugar is put into the mix (seems to be the common Kavalan element?) and a little dark blackberry sweetness comes to play. Delightful stuff. F: medium-long. Figgy and sticky with a touch more spicy tingle carrying vanilla and cocoa. OK. Three Kavalans in and we have a winner. This is objectively good sauce. Huge character with flavours for days, clean, well purposed, crisp, and beautifully delivered. There are exciting depths to be had and yet it remains approachable. The 57.8% is forceful without being overbearing and the ability to add water and lengthen this out is great. Heres the rub though, AUD$299.99. Thats mega bucks and on the same price point as Red Breast 21, the 2014 Lagavulin 12, and a clear $100 more than a Highland Park 18, to name just a few. I ask then, is it worth it? Not to me. Very happy to have sampled this though. Well done Kavalan, well done. [No connection to Taiwan, but pictured here with this dram (because he happened to be out for his evening walk) is Asaphus lepidurus. This chonky critter is an ~470 million year old trilobite from near St. Petersburg in Russia. His body plan was perfectly suited to scurrying over bottom sediments whilst keeping a literal low profile] Distiller whisky taste #124

I'm practicing what I preach as I write this review from a beautiful rural cottage in the midst of wine country (complete with indoor fireplace - ooh lala!). I do appreciate excellent wines, but of course I brought a few whisky samples along for the journey too. Kavalan's Solist Vinho Barrique uses American oak casks from both red and white wines that are retoasted prior to filling. This Taiwanese copper-gold whisky is bottled at cask strength, 57.8% ABV. Its aroma is sumptuous with rich lychee, aged oak, orange blossoms and grape jelly. Chocolate and red fruits (like red currant jam) reveal themselves over time. A fleeting grape note ascends to peppery blackberries. The spiciness fades through a lengthy oaky, bodied wine-reminiscent, lightly tannic finish. A few drops of water brings more sawdust to the nose but enhances the fruit notes in the flavour profile alongside caramelized sugar. The woody notes in the finish are toned down with a few drops of water, which I view as an advantage. Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique is a very interesting dram. I particularly enjoy its nose without dilution and am pleasantly surprised by the benefit to flavour/finish thanks to minimal water. I can imagine Solist Vinho Barrique being a good whisky for high proof bourbon drinkers that are curious to explore international offerings and a conversation-worthy pour for whisky enthusiasts as well. 8/10

Total Score : 4.38 [Eng] [Nose] - The light banana and soft vanilla scent gets thicker over time. - Almost no alchol booze and it's soft. - It's not a fresh or sour fruit, but has a strong scent of high-sugar tropical fruit and dried fruit. - Scent of fresh melon. - It doesn't feel as strong as molasses, but it smells like caramel and oak for sure. [Pallete] - A little sweet and pleasant spiciness when it comes into your mouth. (not sticky sweet) - Balanced spiciness that doesn't sting too much and only feels the presence of oak barrel. - A bit bitter. - It has a well-balanced salty taste, and at the same time feels savory. [Finish] - Scratch or spiciness is weak when crossing the neck, but a hot feeling of high alcohol content remains. - In my exhaled breath, I had a weak woody scent and a sweet caramel scent of oak. [Kor] [Nose] - 옅은 바나나향과 부드러운 바닐라 향이 시간이 지날수록 점점 진해짐 - 부즈는 거의 없고 부드러움 - 상큼하거나 신맛이 나는 과일이 아니라 당도가 높은 진한 열대 과일과 건과일의 향이 진하게 남 - 신선한 멜론의 향기도 살짝 남 - 당밀만큼 진한 느낌은 아니고 캐러멜 향과 오크향의 존재감은 맡아짐 [Pallete] - 입에 들어왔을 때 약간의 단맛과 기분좋은 스파이시함이 느껴짐(끈적한 단맛은 아님) - 과하게 따갑지 않고 오크 숙성의 존재감만 느껴지는 균형잡힌 스파이시함이 있음 - 살짝 씁쓸함 - 균형잡힌 적절한 짠맛이 있고, 동시에 고소함도 느껴짐 [Finish] - 목을 넘길 때 긁거나 스파이시함은 약하지만 높은 도수의 화끈한 느낌은 남음 - 내쉬는 숨에서 약한 우디향과 달콤한 캐러멜 향이 남

Nose: Honey, ripe guava, lychee, nectarines, coconuts, crisp apples, vanilla, Concord grapes Palette: Burst of tropical punch, pink guava, lychee, red mangoes, over ripened bananas, coconut flakes, honey, passion fruit, sugar glaze, Concord grape jam Finish: Long full bodied, oily, succulent fresh tropical fruits, woody, spicy A masterpiece of a whisky. I have 3 bottles in my collection, each with a different ABV due to the batch. Out of the hundreds of whisky I’ve tasted this is always top 3. The flavor is so full and oily, it coats the mouth completely so the flavor lingers. Even the empty glass has a delicate woody/ floral tea fragrance that lingers and evolves. Being cask strength this may be too strong for beginners and watering it down makes it too sweet and simple tasting for me. My favorite was one I had at around 62% abv. Must buy!

King Car Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 55.6% is a balanced whisky by King Car.in Taiwan, this expression is allowed to mature in casks that have contained red & white wines, & then re-toasted. It has a birth with notes of toasted oak, vanilla, caramelized sugars, dark chocolate, ripe melon & mango; while a rich & spicy life added notes of kiwi, citrus & a hint of pepper; that led to a clean & complex death with hints of chocolate & ripe berry & plum. July 2017 / March 2019 / July 2022

cherry blueberry high pep, creamy complexity, 2.75 grape, creamy, sour sweetness (this sourness has mixed reviews for me, very different and unusual), strawberry, red fruits, youngest and youthfulness to this, 2.5 oak and bitterness to the finish mid sustain 2.25 2.5 grape, berry, red fruits, thick complexity, high mid pep, 2.75 sweetness, thick creamy, grape, red grapes, berry, thickness complexity zesty lemon, 3.5 sweet creamy, red berries and mid sustain 3