Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength

This definately can use a bit of water. Without it, it's like eating wasabi. Once water is added, the heat calms down and you can smell a grape-y, grassy, malty aroma. Let it sit for a while, and the taste is well balanced between vanilla and red grapes. I'm not a fan of the finish though, it's rough and you can feel the tingle in your nose. I think the key in this one is water, and letting it sit out for a while. I'm on vacation in Maui, and actually bought this bottle along to enjoy here. Glad I did. Update 6/30/18: just opened a new bottle of this...back when I had it the first time, I wasn’t really blown away. And I realized why—-two years ago, when I had this, it was over a large cube of ice. Don’t do that to this. Lesson learned. This time, just a 1/2 teaspoon of water, and wow...the flavors really opened. Dark cherries, figs, raspberry...oily sweet with a touch of red wine tannin, but nothing overpowering. Closest I can think of is a Yamazaki 18. Simply amazing.

Delicious. Tried it courtesy of Mariko.

Fruit driven and very complex. A beautiful whiskey

Clean, smooth, and complex. Pair with salmon or tuna. Get sweetness by pairing with apples or apricots.