Jose-Massu-Espinel
Kavalan Selection Peaty Cask Matured, bottled for LMDW
Single Malt — Taiwan, Scotland
Reviewed
January 22, 2022 (edited January 23, 2022)
Another limited Kavalan Selection bottle, this time a "Peaty Cask" matured single malt, bottled at 54%abv, for La Maison du Whisky. There has been some discussions about Peaty casks, and if you can consider Peaty Casks to produce Peaty whisky, as well as using "Peaty Water" to give peatiness to a single Malt. Neither of those options actually add peat ppm to a single malt, but it is fair to say that a cask that had a Peaty single malt might induce some flavors of that type to the final spirit.
On the nose, as soon as you uncork it, it gave me a tobacco leaf note. There is this powerful, overwhelming mint hard candy note; i have to let it breath a little, since it is way too difficult to override. Perfumed peat, some tropical fruitiness rising, there is a pond/swamp note also present. Peaty aromas have dissipated after 1 minute; fresh, ultra floral notes have exploded, i have never felt a more "flowery" whisky ever. Cooked pineapple, very perfumed. Peach syrup.
On the palate, It starts a little watery, with some sweet chocolate notes, then it turns to peach for a second and then boom, a spicy, peppery, cinnamon note appeared. The spiciness lasted for 3 seconds then i could hold the sip in my palate like forever. More sips gave me sawdust, vanilla. It was like water with ashes, it starts way too watery. Salt, hints of smoke and tropical fruit acidity. The third sip was much sweeter, some sugary notes have appeared.
Aftertastw is very interesting. Sawdust, lots of ginger spice, not a very long finish on the first sip; mouth numbing. New wood, not smokey, nor earthy; it is like overly oaked but not in a bad way, it actually has some rythm with the nose and palate. Short-medium long. I like a sensation here: is like an ashy note that immediately splits into four particles that expand in your mouth till they touch four different corners of your palate. I have only experienced this type of sensation on Hibiki whiskies. Very dim, pleasant smoke.
Overall, i really think this whisky is more interesting than tasty. It is a very good single malt, with some bold notes, easy to enjoy for a 54%abv. This types of "experiments" are the kind i am always looking for on drams. My score for it is a solid 90 over 100.
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Ive never heard of a peated kavalan before. This is very interesting.