Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength

Nose: Honey, ripe guava, lychee, nectarines, coconuts, crisp apples, vanilla, Concord grapes Palette: Burst of tropical punch, pink guava, lychee, red mangoes, over ripened bananas, coconut flakes, honey, passion fruit, sugar glaze, Concord grape jam Finish: Long full bodied, oily, succulent fresh tropical fruits, woody, spicy A masterpiece of a whisky. I have 3 bottles in my collection, each with a different ABV due to the batch. Out of the hundreds of whisky I’ve tasted this is always top 3. The flavor is so full and oily, it coats the mouth completely so the flavor lingers. Even the empty glass has a delicate woody/ floral tea fragrance that lingers and evolves. Being cask strength this may be too strong for beginners and watering it down makes it too sweet and simple tasting for me. My favorite was one I had at around 62% abv. Must buy!

I'm practicing what I preach as I write this review from a beautiful rural cottage in the midst of wine country (complete with indoor fireplace - ooh lala!). I do appreciate excellent wines, but of course I brought a few whisky samples along for the journey too. Kavalan's Solist Vinho Barrique uses American oak casks from both red and white wines that are retoasted prior to filling. This Taiwanese copper-gold whisky is bottled at cask strength, 57.8% ABV. Its aroma is sumptuous with rich lychee, aged oak, orange blossoms and grape jelly. Chocolate and red fruits (like red currant jam) reveal themselves over time. A fleeting grape note ascends to peppery blackberries. The spiciness fades through a lengthy oaky, bodied wine-reminiscent, lightly tannic finish. A few drops of water brings more sawdust to the nose but enhances the fruit notes in the flavour profile alongside caramelized sugar. The woody notes in the finish are toned down with a few drops of water, which I view as an advantage. Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique is a very interesting dram. I particularly enjoy its nose without dilution and am pleasantly surprised by the benefit to flavour/finish thanks to minimal water. I can imagine Solist Vinho Barrique being a good whisky for high proof bourbon drinkers that are curious to explore international offerings and a conversation-worthy pour for whisky enthusiasts as well. 8/10

Just amazing, I can see why this won 2015 Single Malt of the Year. One of the most unique, full-bodied whiskies I’ve ever enjoyed. Nose is light but with warm dried fruit and cotton-candy undertone Palate absolutely explodes with flavor, deep plums and grapes with a hot grenadine finish that leaves your tongue tingling. Finish is bourbon-like with char and brown sugar. Will be looking for more bottles of this as I don’t expect the one I just opened to last long!

Big and rich. An initial caramel creaminess, followed by a long red berry moment in the mid palate. Long finish with oak and walnut taking stage. Very good, but not the world’s best whisky.

very sweet