Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength

Following my review of Whipper Snapper a short while ago, I decided I needed to explore more single distillery tasting flights to better grasp the whisky-making process and how a new make spirit can transform into the elixir of life or be utterly ruined by production. Thus, I acquired about 20 different whiskies from four distilleries and planned to start with a trio from Kavalan over the next few days. I have no preconceptions but have heard positive things about the Kavalan team, beginning with what I anticipate will be the most representative of the core spirit, the Solist ex-Bourbon cask strength. Nose: Immediately greeted by a generous amount of honey and a subtly floral, bright malty character. Vanilla, oak spice, and maple are prominent once the honey recedes. With more in-depth sniffing and slow breaths, I detect a similarity to coconut water. There's no indication of the 58.7% ABV. Truly delightful, and no need to dilute this. Palate: There's a slight prickle to overcome initially, but this is a substantial and robust palate delivering a strong vanilla-forward profile. Chewy fudge and brown sugar are embraced by a tropical fruit sweetness, reminiscent of mango mixed with very ripe, juicy pear. The high proof does build and serves as a reminder of its potency, but if you can push past that, I believe there might be some nutty savoriness present as well. Wonderful texture and rich, weighty flavors. A drop or two of water expands the experience; the tropical sweetness leans towards banana, and the prickle softens to a gentle red chili. Brown sugar lingers longer. Finish: Medium-long, with a slightly waxy quality, carrying peppery heat and some mild vanilla. A powerful opening, setting the stage for excitement about what's to come. It possesses a fantastic harmony of sweet, juicy fruit flavors with rich, heavy vanillas, fudges, and dark sugars. The high proof is well-integrated and maintains vibrancy. I must confess, however, that while the palate is well-executed, it's also somewhat ordinary; there don't seem to be many complex layers to discover, and the ones present are what one might expect. Classic ex-bourbon character. However, the nose is the standout, with its lovely lightness and the floral aroma beneath the honey evoking a blossoming meadow. Superb. [No connection to Taiwan, but pictured here with this dram( because he happened to be out for his Saturday walk) is Illaenus tauricornis. This little critter is an ~470 million year old trilobite from near St. Petersburg in Russia. His giant boof-head was perfectly adapted for ploughing though bottom sediments on ancient seabeds looking for food] A strong start, and a start that leaves me excited for what is to follow. There is a wonderful balance of sweet and juicy fruit flavors with rich and heavy vanillas, fudges and dark sugars. The high proof works well here and keeps things vibrant. I have to admit though as well done as the palate is, it is also a little pedestrian, there are not seemingly to many things to find and those that are found are what I thought would show up. Classic ex-bourbon stuff. However, the nose. Thats the stand out, lovely lightness of character and the floral waft underneath the honey is like sitting in a blossoming meadow. Brilliant. Whisky taste #122

Bottled in 2016. After some letdowns, I have 3 bottles to open and assess today. I'm hoping this one turns out to be a success. Nose - Sweet, fruity bubble gum mixed with vanilla and wood. I often tell people that a large part of the quality of this brand is the malt itself, and it's incredibly obvious on this one, right on the nose. So fruity, welcoming...this isn't an unusual expression. It possesses a sophisticated, high-end, classic scotch-like character. Yet, I detect a hint of wood and vanilla that reminds me of high-end bourbons as well. A perfect harmony appears to have been achieved with intense, extreme aging and likely another perfectly chosen barrel. Taste - Smooth vanilla...heavy wood. I mentioned bourbon earlier...I'm a little confused here, but yes...this drinks like a bourbon. I'm going to have to completely adjust my expectations. This is a sugary, candy-like bourbon with a distinct wood bite, slightly better, slightly excessive with the bitter wood notes without the big, pleasant warm wood components. 2.5. A very good whisky, but the mouthfeel and the immediate sweetness are the main attractions. The finish is inconsistent and flawed. Time might fix all of this. So, I look forward to revisiting it eventually. Re-review What a mistake I made with those initial notes. Nose - Vanilla and solvent bringing out candy and subtle wood notes. Deep, rich, and while uncomplicated, it's full and incredibly rich and complex in the depth of these individual notes. Taste - Sweet malt, enhanced by vanilla, strong solvent notes from the nose coming through powerfully here. Reminiscent of classic bourbons with rich, smooth vanilla malts added. The depth isn't comparable to a 20-year-old bourbon, but the flavor intensity and richness are exceptional. Adding water reveals more young wood and reduces the solvent characteristics. Not as pleasing of a rich, amazing experience, but you can perceive the quality, subtlety, and depth persisting. Increasing this score to a solid 3.5

I'm a fan of Kavalan. That said, there was some confusion. We went to Whiskyfest and asked the ladies at the Kavalan booth to pour us the Vinho Barrique and Sherry and loved what they poured. Admittedly, there was some language barrier. After some samples and confusion, I am 99% sure they actually poured us the Sherry and Ex Bourbon. The Ex Bourbon was the one that kind of blew my mind that night. This is a roughly 5-year-old pick from Total Wine. It's been said that a year in Taiwan is equivalent to 5 in Scotland, and I'm in agreement, for sure. Nose: Vanilla buttercream frosting, mango, papaya, and oak with a malty dusty background note that I tend to associate more with corn whiskey. Flavor: Sweet but not cloyingly so. More of a honey sweetness. More tropical fruit, especially mango, with some heat from the proof but no ethanol note, with some spice as well. Finish: Long finish with some clove and cardamom from the barrel and quite a bit of toasted coconut as well. Lingers for a long time and dries out a little with the tropical honey and barrel char staying with you for a long time. Wow, this is a superb whisky. I've now tried the sherry, two picks of the ex bourbon, vinho barrique, and port, and can say this slightly younger pick from Total Wine is my favorite. The older pick was nice, but the wood was too forward and masked the fruit notes. Pricey, but definitely worth the cost.

59.4% ABV Cask #B100924078A | Bottle #201/213 Nose - (without water) Sweet floral tropical vanilla, fried plantains, toasted coconut (with water) No significant change, perhaps a slight reduction in intensity. Taste - (without water) Sweet creamy banana/vanilla pudding, nilla wafers, oaky tropical vanilla, mild pineapple sweetness, white pepper heat (with water) diminished white pepper heat. Finish - (without water) Fiery white pepper tingle, banana pudding sweetness, drying vanilla oak, floral tropical sweetness (with water) Considerably less white pepper heat, otherwise unchanged. Score - 90/100 Final Thoughts - I haven't tried any of Kavalan's standard offerings but I suspect this might be the closest representation. Minimal vanilla and oak influence from the ex-Bourbon casks, but otherwise, what I perceive as the base spirit really stands out. A pleasant floral, tropical-hinted malt is evident. This expression benefits greatly from water; it primarily tones down the white pepper heat/tingle from the proof, while all the flavors remain in balance, which is quite surprising. Delightfully straightforward, yet complex enough to remain engaging, I'm a fan.

Amazing. Someone gifted me the Solist Olorosso Sherry Cask and I was captivated. I then purchased the Vinho Barrique and the Ex-Bourbon casks. All are excellent. These Solist casks at nearly 60% ABV are best enjoyed neat. Allow them to gradually open up and dilute in your mouth. Savor their incredible richness and flavor. Out of the three, the Vinho Barrique is my top pick, though all three are superb. The Ex-Bourbon is the sweetest, with pleasant vanilla notes. The Sherry is intensely oaky, a true sherry bomb. The Vinho Barrique masterfully combines elements of both. Be advised... after sampling these, other whiskies will seem dull by comparison.

Nose Robust aroma with dominant vanilla, green apples, cloves, then sweet pineapple and some citrus. Taste Starts fruity and honey-sweet, developing into bitter chocolate and vanilla ice cream, with cherry. A hint of peppery spice and a swiftness that leans more dominant. After adding water, notes of dried fruit emerge, and the finish becomes less dry with strong cacao. I noticed it becoming spicier with pepper and coriander. Finish Very oily, with a sharper, long finish as the whisky continues to evolve. Final Thoughts An excellent whisky for those who prefer a sweeter profile. It certainly possesses significant complexity with tropical fruits and a notable level of sweetness.