Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt

Exceptional nose, taste and finish. All of the things I want in a Whisky is in this bottle. Honey, Vanilla, oak,Apple, smooth and more.

Nose - citrus fruits with a musty touch of oak. Fresh and refreshing, bright and very clear yet sharp and a bit acidic. Taste - Vanilla, vanilla yogurt, and vanilla icing. Light citrus, almost an orange bitter. Some light oak bitterness as well. Wow this is dessert with a long lingering oak and vanilla finish. Just a really high quality malt. I've seen this in fancy boxes and as low as 100, but I paid 150 and I got the cheap cardboard box.

Kavalan has always been a mixed bag for me. One not great (TWE single cask strength sherry) one awesome (ltd run Soloist sherry cask)...and the rest slightly on or above average in the 3.5 to 3.75 range. This one I really like. With a few drops of water sweet toasted vanila coconut banana are the predominant and pretty much only characteristics. It's well balanced, short dry but only slightly bitter aftertaste. I could definitely drink a fair bit of this given I'm a sucker for first full whiskey offerings which I suspect this is in whole or part. Fair price at $90 USD. If it had a better aftertaste itd be up to the 4.25 range.

Vanilla start and smell, pleasant and fruity mouthfeel, smooth finish, lingering spice afterwards.

Harsh

Bourbon oak matured; pure vanilla

Very smooth. Little kick. Floral.