Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt

Nose - Tropical Tahitian vanilla, very floral, toasted coconut, sweet plantain. Taste - Tropical fruits, a hint of vanilla/caramel, lightly drying yet refreshing oak, similar to a "dry cola", white pepper spice/heat, creamy coconut milk, light banana/peach sweetness. Finish - Creamy coconut milk lingers long, white pepper spice remains present, tropical fruit sweetness persists and transitions to a lightly drying mouthfeel. Score - 89/100 Final Thoughts - The influence of bourbon barrels is evident here with significant vanilla and oak notes overlaying what I perceive as a nice tropical malt. Floral notes and tropical fruits are present throughout, along with the white pepper kick I detect, likely enhanced by the proof. Overall quite delicious, though I wish the tropical fruit was more prominent against the vanilla/oak from the bourbon barrels.

This distillery is always a gamble for me. One not great (TWE single cask strength sherry) one amazing (ltd run Soloist sherry cask)...and the others slightly above average in the 3.5 to 3.75 range. I really like this one. With a few drops of water, sweet toasted sugar, coconut, and banana are the main and pretty much only characteristics. It's well-balanced, short, dry, but only slightly bitter aftertaste. I could definitely drink a fair bit of this, especially considering I'm a sucker for first full whiskey offerings, which I suspect this is in whole or part. Fair price at $90 USD. If it had a better aftertaste, it would be up to the 4.25 range.

⌚: 🍾 Opened for the first time, allowed to rest for about 5 minutes. 👀: First, the packaging is impressive, suggesting that what's inside might also be impressive 🤔; light golden, coppery color with uniform legs; 👃: Honeysuckle notes, vanilla, baking spices, cola, some oak, ethanol at the end; 👅: Tastes like sweet milk tea boba initially, more honey, creamy richness, thick like simple syrup; 🏁: The creamy taste persists for a while, a little fruitiness appears in the middle, giving way to a floral note similar to Hibiki. It's not complicated, complex, or nuanced, which might be good for new drinkers.

A delightful whisky with an aroma hinting at coffee, unripe apples (though not distinctly fruity), a subtle smokiness, and occasionally an almost imperceptible oak presence. The palate is remarkable, featuring granulated brown sugar, nuttiness, spice, and vanilla, as if you were combining these elements for baking. The finish is quite long, with a pleasantly bitter and numbing sensation in the mouth.

Aroma - tart fruits with a faint musty wood scent. Vibrant and invigorating, lively and very distinct yet sharp and somewhat tart. Taste - Sweet cream, sweet cream dessert, and sweet frosting. Faint tart fruit, similar to an orange rind. A little faint wood bitterness too. Remarkable, this is a dessert with a lasting woody and sweet cream aftertaste. Truly a top-tier malt. I've seen it in upscale packaging and for as little as 100, but I paid 150 and received the basic cardboard box.

This is my preferred member of the Kavalan range, representing a perfect fusion of their signature malt characteristics and cask selection. The classic bourbon/American oak notes are present in all their magnificent glory – sweet vanilla and coconut, plus banana cream, tropical fruit, and a dry, woody oakiness. The palate is light, clean, and focused, with fruit and creamy vanilla, but it's not excessively sweet, avoiding a dessert-like quality. Exceptionally well-executed!