Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength

솔리스트 쉐리를 너무 맛있게 마셔서 솔리스트 포트도 기대했는데 좀 실망.

Nose: a shocking power, fortified wine, raisins, plums, spicy wood. It gives the idea of long aging in a humid place, it is very enveloping and intoxicating. Palate: it immediately strikes for its softness, but also for the alcoholic degree of cask strenght and for the powerful spiciness. Confirms the sense of smell with port and raisins, but also candied orange peel and marzipan. It almost looks like an exotic liqueur more than a whisky. Perfect, long and soft finish. Nothing to say, a great product. But I see a flaw and not just: in my opinion it is far from the concept of classic whisky. Perhaps too exotic, it is still an Asian whisky! Still a solid 4.50 rating __________________________________________________________________ Naso: una potenza sconvolgente, vino liquoroso, uvetta, prugne, legno speziato. Da l’idea di lunga stagionatura in un luogo umido, è molto avvolgente ed inebriante. Palato: colpisce subito per la sua pastosità, ma anche per il grado alcolico cask strenght e per la potente speziatura. Conferma l’olfatto con porto e uvetta, ma anche scorze d’arancia candite e marzapane. Sembra quasi un liquore esotico più che un whisky. Finale perfetto, lungo e morbido. Nulla da dire, un grande prodotto. Però ci vedo un difetto e non da poco: secondo me è lontano dal concetto di whisky classico. Forse troppo esotico, è pur sempre un whisky asiatico! Comunque un solido voto 4,50

Big, bold nose. Rich and thick with dark fruits. Some assertive wood, almost sawdusty, with a hint of smoke in the background. The palate is quite aggressive, quite shocking at first. Syrupy fruit, like a mouthful of mixed berry jam, then moves into the heavy oaky flavors with a good bit of bitterness, especially going into and through the finish. The high ABV is felt, but not overly so. It seems mostly to deliver a very full-flavored experience. Now I’ve consumed more of the sample than I meant to before trying with water. With water the fruit seems to become slightly more sour. It’s quite an experience to try this one. I really enjoyed the boldness, both bold fruit and wood. Really thrilled to have had the opportunity. Many thanks to @ContemplativeFox for the sample!

The nose is bold and dense with a syrupy richness that starts with caramelized figs, balsamic syrup over diced strawberries and antique leather bound armchair followed by vanilla creme brûlée and a spicy mocha then cherries jubilee, anise spiced baked pears and raspberry jam that transitions to candied ginger, cloves and slightly burnt pie crust with high ethanol burn. The taste is a rich and syrupy mouthfeel starting with blackberry jam and slightly soured tropical fruits that quickly veers towards a high peppery bitter and sour spice that slowly fades to figgy pudding, strawberry syrup and freshly lit pipe tobacco then vanilla cupcake and chocolate covered espresso beans followed by raspberry sorbet, anise spiced baked pears and lemon zest that transitions to cloves, candied ginger and a moderate ashy oak spice with high ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with moderate ashy oak, black pepper, pipe tobacco, diced strawberries, sour cherries, leather bound books and bitter black tea. Overall, this was a very good whisky with rich and dense flavors of red berries, tropical fruits, citrus and earthy spices, but the balance is off with a high bitter spice that throws off those dense fruity flavors and finishes moderately bitter with those red berries slightly peaking through. At a price of $250+, this is priced far too high for me to be willing to purchase, but I'm extremely grateful that @ContemplativeFox was generous enough to share this with me.

nose of grape and oak, vanilla, clementine, leather. Body is heavy, oily, slightly astringent. Finish is hot with strong baking spice (cinnamon, clove), almost a bit of rye, toasted marshmallow. A bit of water brings out more floral notes, but remains spicy.

@wfnn 2022

Syrupy. Even better with a drop of water