Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength

I sampled this at a bar and the flavor was more palatable. It's possible the previous two batches were older. In any case, I'm giving it a 2.75 for the improved flavor. KAVALAN SOLIST OLOROSO SHERRY SINGLE CASK STRENGTH -SECOND TRY- THE WHISKY'S COLOR IS STUNNING, TRULY A GREAT CENTERPIECE FOR A BAR. IT HAS DRIED RAISINS AND A STRONG ARTIFICIAL RAISIN AROMA, BUT YOU CERTAINLY GET RED FRUIT NOTES ALONG WITH A VERY STRONG METALLIC PRESENCE. MILD SWEETNESS. IT STRONGLY REMINDS ME OF THE GLUEY BALLOONS YOU COULD BLOW UP WITH THOSE SMALL TUBES WHEN YOU WERE A KID - GLUEY 2.5 CREAMY, MALTY, CHOCOLATE, A MAJOR HIT OF BITTERNESS THAT FEELS LIKE THE SHERRY CASK HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, TO THE POINT OF TANNINS. THE AFTERTASTE OF THE BITTERNESS IS QUITE UNPLEASANT FOR ME; IT'S A RESIDUAL FLAVOR THAT DOESN'T FADE AND RUINS THE ENJOYMENT OF A FINE WHISKY, AN ARTIFICIAL SUGARY TASTE 0.25 OAKY, AND SUSTAINED BITTERNESS 0.25 1 KAVALAN SOLIST OLOROSSO SHERRY CASK 57.1% INCREDIBLE DARKNESS IN COLOR, REMARKABLE SHERRY CASKING HERE. I'VE NEVER SEEN A DARKER ONE. CHERRY, RAISINS ARE MOST PROMINENT, RASPBERRIES, CRANBERRY, MILD TO MEDIUM PEPPER 3 FULL-BODIED AND VERY RICH IN CHERRY, SWEETNESS, RAISIN, EXTREMELY SWEET LIKE A KIND OF WINE. AT THE BACK, YOU'LL DETECT OAKY NOTES WITH A SLIGHT BITTERNESS AND DARK CHOCOLATE. THE OAKINESS IS QUITE FLAT AND IT TASTES A BIT LIKE A CHERRY CANDY (WHICH ISN'T GOOD FOR ME) 2 OAKY, LONG-MEDIUM SUSTAINMENT 1 OVERALL, A VERY UNIQUE TASTE AS THIS DEVIATES GREATLY FROM TRADITIONAL WHISKY, MORE LIKE A DESSERT WINE. 2 (IT'S A GOOD ADDITION TO A BAR FOR TASTE VARIETY, BUT I WOULDN'T PERSONALLY PURCHASE IT FOR MYSELF)

This bottle is 58.6% ABV. It's fantastic. Single malt is great. People in Taiwan overlook Kavalan, thinking it's inferior because it's not from the UK. They're mistaken; Kavalan is excellent. It has a deep amber color. The nose is sweet and complex, syrupy, tropical, and rich. It genuinely smells like money, like a crisp, clean $100 bill. The initial taste is almost maple-like. The mouthfeel is sweet and oily. It's complex and rich. Describing it solely as tropical fruit feels lazy since it's from a tropical island. Instead, it's more like a deeply refreshing apple juice. The oak is noticeable on the palate, so take your time with this sip; it punishes haste but rewards patience. The water here is noteworthy. Taiwan's tap water has a mixed reputation; my hotel advised against drinking it. As someone who enjoys tap water, I was skeptical until I learned a global testing operation found elevated arsenic levels. This explained the daily abundance of bottled water, which, I discovered, was complimentary. This situation is different in the mountains, and I believe it. I appreciate the contrast, finding it mirrors Taiwan's nature: beautiful yet precarious. Regardless, give this a try.

I've sampled several Kavalans, and they were generally acceptable, but this one stands out. Initially, I worried about an overly sweet cherry Dr Pepper-like profile based on the aroma, and while there's a hint of that, it's very well-balanced by other elements. This bottle finally shows me what Kavalan is about. It has rich woody sherry, tobacco leaves, prunes, burnt caramel, crème brûlée cherry, and much more. It's exceptionally good. The color resembles a rich Pinot Noir. The nose subtly hints at the underlying flavors without any ethanol harshness, which is also true for the palate. The aftertaste is slightly cloyingly sweet cherry, which detracts a little, and I'm unsure if I could drink a lot of it, as I tend to prefer drier Oloroso sherry finishes over PX style. For sheer drinkability, I'd rate it lower, perhaps 4 to 4.25, but for overall quality and experience, it's a 4.5. It reminds me of the Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1 in a way; though the profile is entirely different, it's a great dram slightly marred by excessive sweetness. Nevertheless, I finished the dram quickly, using only a few drops of water to enhance the flavors. Very, very well executed.

Kavalan excels at producing sherry-aged whiskies, rivaling the quality of any Edradour, Dalmore, or Glendronach. It might be a bit pricey, but the higher alcohol content enhances the tasting experience. Bottled at 58.6% ABV, this spirit displays a deep reddish-copper color. Its aroma is astounding and highly complex, featuring notes of bacon, blackberry jam, festive turkey stuffing, ham, figs, cherry cola, glazed pork, and quince paste. Superb. The palate is very satisfying, offering a refined and sophisticated sherry character with quince paste, molasses, and marmalade. The finish becomes slightly harsh due to the high ABV but remains excellent, with notes of oak spice, sawdust, subtle smoke, and recurring quince paste. Overall, this is a magnificent and sophisticated dram. Not excessively expensive at around $135, it's a worthy addition to any collection. My score is 93 out of 100.

An impressive natural copper amber color, appearing easily 20+ years old. It shows no legs. Nose 93 Despite being 59.4% ABV, it has a good impact without being overly fiery, allowing it to be appreciated without dilution. It presents lovely sherry characteristics like marzipan and blood orange marmalade, complemented by dark, deep, roasted coffee grounds. This is contrasted with a very sweet burnt caramel. Hints of aging are present with walnuts and old wood. The aging and depth are very impressive. Taste 89 A few drops of water were needed to soften the intensity. Prominent notes of burnt caramel, orange zest, clove, and cinnamon. It's not as sweet as the aroma suggested. This is spicy, fruity, and very deep. Finish 93 Lingering notes of mint chocolate and cinnamon.

Excellent. Someone gifted me the Solist Olorosso Sherry Cask and I was captivated. So I went and acquired the Vinho Barrique and the Ex-Bourbon casks as well. They are all outstanding. The finest way to enjoy these Solist casks, with nearly 60% ABV, is neat. Allow them to gradually release their flavors and dilute in your mouth. Savor it slowly and appreciate their exceptional richness and taste. Out of the three, the Vinho Barrique is my top choice. However, all three are superb. The Ex-Bourbon is the sweetest with pleasant Vanilla notes. The Sherry is the most oaky and a true sherry bomb. The Vinho Barrique strikes a perfect balance between the two. Be advised... after experiencing these, other whiskies will seem quite bland.