Kavalan Solist Port Cask is a single cask, cask strength single malt from Taiwan's Kavalan distillery, fully matured in a Portuguese port wine barrique and bottled at 58.6% ABV. It is part of the Solist series, Kavalan's range of single cask, cask strength expressions.
Kavalan, in Yilan County in northeastern Taiwan, has become one of the most awarded whisky makers in the world. Taiwan's warm, humid climate accelerates maturation, and the port barriques bring deep fruit and colour to the spirit in a fraction of the time it would take in Scotland. Each Solist bottling comes from one cask and carries its own cask number and strength.
Kavalan describes the Port Cask with plum, blueberry, blackberry and strawberry, all set against a background of chocolate. Tasters also find pepper at first, building into heavy port sweetness and vanilla malt, then citrus peel, brown sugar, sloe berries, shortbread and raisins, with dried fruit and a touch of tropical pineapple. The finish brings citrus, caramel and strawberry.
The bottle is presented in a handsome wooden case with a hinged lid, making it a fine display piece and a superb gift for a collector of world whisky.
At full cask strength it is intense and rewarding, a showcase of what single cask maturation can achieve.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Pepper, then heavy port sweetness, vanilla malt, plum and blackberry.
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Palate: Citrus peel, brown sugar, sloe berries, shortbread and raisins over chocolate.
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Finish: Citrus, caramel and strawberry.
Specifications
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Producer: Kavalan
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Style: Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky, single cask, cask strength
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Expression / Batch: Solist Port Cask
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Proof / ABV: 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Fully matured in a port wine barrique
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Region: Yilan, Taiwan
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
At cask strength, taste a small measure neat, then add water a few drops at a time. It pairs with dark chocolate, berry desserts or blue cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kavalan Solist?
Kavalan's series of single cask, cask strength single malts.
What cask is it matured in?
A Portuguese port wine barrique, for its full maturation.
What proof is this bottle?
It is 58.6% ABV; each Solist cask has its own strength.
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