Kavalan Podium Single Malt

Rating: 15/23 Nose: Somewhat dusty tannins. It reminds me of Dickel vitamins, which is quite unusual. Faint hints of ancho chili are in the background. There's a suggestion of tropical fruit, but it's very subtle. The nose is surprisingly void. Comparing it side-by-side with Monkey Shoulder and Kavalan Concertmaster, this is definitely abnormal. I might even detect a slight hint of meat. At best, it's a boring nose. Palate: Less fruity than most Kavalan products, with more alcohol evident. I notice a significant amount of ethanol and some associated burn. While there are some tropical fruits with subtle floral notes and a moderately nutty malt sweetness, there's a surprising void in the middle dominated by alcohol. At 46%, I expect robust flavors and minimal alcohol presence. This fails on both counts. There are some tannins leading into barrel spices, but the spices give way to alcohol burn, making them unremarkable. Finish: Tannins with fruit, mild malty sweetness, and alcohol burn. Aftertaste: This is actually light for a Kavalan, reinforcing my belief that it's underaged. Conclusion: I don't perceive the alcohol in this quite as much as in Monkey Shoulder (14/23), but the profile here is less smooth and easy to drink. The higher proof accentuates the alcohol. I do appreciate that this has more fullness than the Monkey Shoulder, but it clearly tastes young and light with intrusive alcohol. That said, the Monkey Shoulder likely has more alcohol flavor. I would rate this above the Monkey Shoulder. This tastes like it's aiming for a similar profile to Kavalan Distillery Select (Batch 1) (16/23) but with a bolder character than something like the understated Kavalan Concertmaster (16/23). However, at 46% ABV, the Distillery Select offers much bolder flavors at 43%. Side-by-side, the alcohol and lack of flavor in this are very apparent. The difference between the two is substantial. Kavalan Concertmaster is similarly superior by a clear margin. Considering I was already disappointed with my Concertmaster bottle, I'm glad I didn't purchase this one. Now for Knappogue Castle 12 (15/23). Honestly, they are quite similar in quality. Both exhibit a bit more alcohol than I'd prefer, but they offer some pleasant flavors. I consider them comparable. Given the name "Podium", it's ironically the worst Kavalan I've tried to date, by a significant margin. It's not terrible, mind you: there are nice fruit flavors (and the higher proof does help them stand out). There's also a touch of rich malt. I'm giving it a 15. To be frank, my opinion of Kavalan is declining after this and my recent Concertmaster experience. I found their Soloist Port Cask and Distillery Select to be reasonably priced, but those are the best I've encountered from them. Now, I'm finding some significantly overpriced offerings, and they are even starting to fall from their high-quality standing.

A single malt from Taiwan, aged in a mix of ex-bourbon and virgin oak barrels at 46% ABV, without chill-filtration or artificial color, based on information from a distillery representative. Let's assess it. Nose: Sharp vanilla, oak, and cinnamon; quite reminiscent of bourbon. Overall, it's light, fresh, and clean, with citrus and possibly coconut notes. A faint ethanol sting is noticeable. Palate: Remarkable... like Taiwanese bourbon? Likely due to the virgin oak cask and potentially a warmer aging climate. It has an almost slightly salty quality. Oak, vanilla, and a dry sweetness are present. It comes across a bit intense with some leathery undertones. It also seems a little immature, possibly needing more time mellowing in a bourbon cask, given some of the sharp notes. Finish: A dry finish with a medium to long oaky/tannic vanilla aftertaste. Some rye-like and cinnamon spices emerge as well. Conclusion: Rated 78/100 This is close to being exceptional but doesn't quite reach it in its current state. Unfortunately, I believe it lacked sufficient cask time. It needs more of that bourbon sweetness and less bitterness from tannins. It's not entirely balanced, and the existing flavors seem somewhat subdued. Best wishes 🥃

Moderate delicacy, with maple, honey, sweetness, no smoke, butterscotch. Moderately mature 3.25 In the glass, the sweetness shifts to a slight bitterness, with a sulfuric kick. Oaky, and this is slightly oily with a rather medium to long finish on the oak. 1 Oaky and bitter. 1 1.75 Sweet pear, dry mint, fragrant, low pepper. 3.5 Light sweetness, with gradually increasing heat and pepper (relatively low). It seems delicate at first, but becomes more complex as it mingles and lingers in your mouth a bit longer. You get an oaky, woody ash finish towards the end; bitterness. 2.5 Woody, medium sustain. 2.25 2.75 Pear, grapes, apple, sweet, fruity, and aromatic. 3 Flavor is sugary, no heat, sweet grape, creamy and thick on the mid-palate with lightness around the edge of the tongue. 3 Oaky, light. 2.75 2.75 Creamy smoothness, honey, caramel, moderately peppery, nutty, almond. 2.75 Sweetness, vanilla, oaky, woody & sawdust are quite prominent, mild pepper, depth in flavor. 2.5 Oaky, woody. 2 2.25

Nose - Vibrant, crisp tropical fruits, starfruit, Madagascar vanilla, toasted coconut, very pleasant and floral. Taste - Enjoyable fruity/floral sweetness and spice, tropical honey syrup, "green" fruits like crisp green apples, green grapes, a slightly thin mouthfeel, white peppercorn spice, a hint of fresh berries. Finish - Lingering white pepper spice, fades quickly, a hint of lightly bitter/sour tropical fruits. Score - 91/100 Final Thoughts - I'm pleasantly surprised by this offering. It possesses a fantastic tropical/floral nose that I could appreciate for a long time. The taste is quite good, although a bit thin and fades rather rapidly. For some reason, I envision this being perfect for sipping while unwinding on a tropical beach during a vacation.

Nose: vanilla, bread, dried fruit Palate: A viscous mouthfeel, syrupy but not overly so. Notes of dried fruit and bread persist, with oak and leather emerging. A medium, drying finish of leather and oak. Certainly enjoyable; I would gladly spend $60 per bottle. At $100 per liter from duty-free, it's worth buying to experience. I'm not yet certain if I'd purchase another.

Some pleasant yet faint and indistinct tropical fruit notes. It lacks complexity, but alongside those fruits, there's an unfamiliar off-note that seems malty or indicative of youth. I'm not enthusiastic, but it's acceptable. This would likely be excellent if aged further and bottled at cask strength.