KAVALAN Tasting Part 3

Kavalan Soloist Fino
Kavalan Soloist Vinho

Kavalan Soloist Fino 

Kavalan Fino malt whisky is aged in the driest version of Spanish sherry wine casks. They say it is specifically designed for connoisseurs and enthusiasts.

Bottled at 57% ABV, this one needs a wee drap o water.

 

Tasting…

 

Nose: Nose: Very sherried - the wine's quickly apparent - and intensely grapey. The sherry is both sweet and a little dry. There's a strong malty core to it as well, perhaps giving it a sense of youth. Almost a candied/sugar quality. Pleasant nose, even if a little straightforward. (with water) The nose explodes and the fino, candy, and malt are all out there. Also like sticky cotton candy in a flower shop. Very "purple"

 

Palate: Palate: If somebody dissolved jelly beans, sherry, and cotton candy in a whisky solution, this would be it. A little wood and malt bring it home, providing moderate dryness. It keeps the whole from being too extreme, but I almost wonder how great this would be if it were just totally over the top. (with water) The sweetness is more even and the malt more pronounced. I think that I prefer this more neat.

 

Finish: Finish/Comment: Not the most complex, but when you want liquid, malty candy, this would be it. Balanced wood and a bit of malt despite being, I think, rather young.

 

Comments:

Finish/Comment: Not the most complex, but when you want liquid, malty candy, this would be it. Balanced wood and a bit of malt despite being, I think, rather young.

 

Kavalan Soloist Vinho

The Kavalan Solist Vinho Cask is whisky finished in fino sherry casks, after treating the barrels with a "toasting and charring process developed in our own cooperage." Kavalan is named for the "earliest clan that inhabited the Lan-Yan Plain." The taste is described as having a "hint of sweet mango juice." Expect some slight variability in proof from bottle to bottle. 
The Solist Fino, as the name indicates, is finished in a Fino sherry butt. I am told there are many batch variations, so I am curious how mine will do. It is a sample I brought home for a whisky festival in Gent last March.

Bottled at 57% ABV, this one needs a wee drap o water.

Tasting…

Nose: The nose is fresh and fruity, with a sourish touch. Gooseberries and strawberries precede plums before turning dry. Hay, tobacco and walnuts after a while, but also mint and furniture polish. Worcester sauce! Good stuff. Water gives it an edge of raw steak, I kid you not.

 

Palate: It is very spicy and sweet on the palate. Pepper, mint, strawberry, plums. Nice continuation of the nose. Pear drops and raisins, candied sugar. Dark honey. Maple syrup. This is Fino? Could have been a PX for all I know. Takes water well. It makes it very creamy, very sweet and very good.

 

Finish: A very long sweet finish.

 

Comments:

Wow, a pleasant surprise.