Kavalan Solist Fino Single Cask Strength

57.8% ABV Cask# F1100707013B Bottle #051/562 Nose - (w/o water) Dark oaky apple/pear juice, hints of golden raisins & prunes, dark caramelized sugar (w/ water) Oddly more ethanol, fruity peppercorns, golden raisins, oak, tannic smell Taste - (w/o water) Initially really hot, tropical fruity sweet, Tahitian vanilla, fruity hot heat, very drying, light bitter/nutty sweet fruit (w/ water) Burn is all but gone, fruity floral sweet, light bitter apple stems/seeds, golden raisins, less dry Finish - (w/o water) Heat fades, oddly bitter, fruity dry, walnut skin nutty/bitter (w/ water) Less dry, lingering sweet apple/pear/golden raisins, lightly medicinal Score - 65/100 Final Thoughts - I'm not sure if I got a bad Fino cask or something but this was quite the letdown. It was a struggle to pick out any specifics from the nose other than a generic "sweet" and oak. The taste wasn't horrible but it felt very unbalanced with and without the addition of water. This super drying sensation lasted throughout and made the entire experience a bit unpleasant. The weird bitterness throughout wasn't a pleasant one and the addition of water made it taste a bit medicinal. Here's to hoping I got a bad batch? Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Maybe, just to see if I got a bad batch Would I buy a bottle? - Not another

Cask FI100707024A. 5 year. Wow. Very flavorful with notes of chocolate, coconut, mango, and kiwi.

Cask S060814024. Complex nose and taste. Flavors continue to evolve in the glass and throughout the life of the bottle. Takes well to water.

oily and vanilla. super sweet and delicious