Kavalan Selection virgin oak single cask

I finally cracked open a small sample I received a long time ago from a specific online retailer that used to deliver to the US. This distillery has rapidly gained recognition. They produce single casks that range from outstanding and costly to decent and costly. All are quite young by UK standards, but the warm, tropical climate helps to mellow the youth. This particular one comes in at a substantial 55+ ABV and an even more substantial price of around $230 USD per bottle. The first thing you observe is the color – that virgin oak imparts a hue identical to bourbon. Deep mahogany. The resemblances to bourbon continue. Sweet vanilla on the nose. Woody, oaky, ginger... more vanilla in the taste. It's not my preference, but I can see fans of cask-strength bourbon appreciating this.

Sampled in a double-blind tasting, it ranked 5th out of 6. Kavalan with virgin oak is unsuccessful for me; the oak is intense and astringent.

white grape, honey, nectar, oak too strong + 0.3 points with water. generally palatable but didn’t enjoy it

Fruity and excellent