For reference, this sample came from a single cask from 2011 that was bottled at 57.8%. The nose is bold and dense with a syrupy richness that starts with dark chocolate torte, powdered sugar dusted sautéed blackberries and antique polished furniture then toasted almonds and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by cherry brandy, caramelized mangos and baked salted orange that transitions to anise, cardamom, saffron and vintage leather with high ethanol burn. The taste is a rich and syrupy mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before quickly veering to a moderate sour spice that slowly fades to cocoa powder dusted prunes and antique polished furniture then freshly lit cigar and marzipan followed by apricot jam, sour cherries and baked salted orange that transitions to black pepper, anise, cardamom, saffron and mildly bitter black tea with high ethanol burn. The finish is long with creamy tropical fruits, cocoa powder dusted prunes, marzipan, anise, cardamom, saffron, dusty leather-bound books and polished antique furniture. This is another excellent release by Kavalan that the flavors are rich and intense with a mix of sour fruits, old oak and unique spices but for me this falls short of the heights reached by the Moscatel due to a higher spice and the fruits having a moderate sourness that I don’t recall finding in the Moscatel. Kavalan’s Solist line is very expensive and I don’t think this one justifies its high asking price, but if I were to purchase one of their Solist line I’d likely reach for the Moscatel as its been my favorite so far with the Amontillado being a very close second.