Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask (57.8%)

"Though production takes place in Taiwan, the distillers are from Scotland, the pot stills from Germany and the barrels from Europe and America." Perhaps the stills being German has something to do with the Solist name. Anyway, good stuff.

26th September 2018

Nose: Vanilla, tropical fruits .cask.
Taste: Heavenly fruity like pineapple and Mango . Vanilla followed by a sweet oaky aftertaste.
A real pearl 90/100

20th December 2016

Cask: B080519045. Bottle #10/226

Was lucky enough to have some of this today in Zhengzhou, China. Apparently it's pricey and harder to get in the west.

Nose: Quite complex. Maple, dark berries, blackberries, blueberries.

Palate: More dark fruit, with some vanilla. Sweet at first with toffee and caramel accompanying the berries. Finish evolves into red Apple, pepper and spice.

Body: full bodied, oily and creamy.

Overall: What a pleasant surprise from Taiwan of all places. Great whisky. Just try it. I know an NAS from Taiwan may put people off as it did me at first, but I'm so glad I tried this.

17th October 2016

The Nose; Very fresh & clean - it really gives you a false sense of whats going to happen on the palate. Bourbon, Vanilla, Coconut. Theres a youthfulness to it but not in a bad way!Soft honey & pears.

The Taste; Instant Spice, Ginger & nutmeg followed by strong Oak & bourbon, it’s truly mouth watering. Theres subtle green apples & soft yellow fruits, mellow papaya & pineapple notes gently roll over the strong woody notes. Creamed barley & pear.

The memory; Long! starts with a uncorrupted lingering spice, followed by a cask strength bourbon (think Eagle Rare) then finished with a return of those light sub-tropical continent fruits. Just when you think its finished you're mouth salivates & you immediately pour another!

5th September 2016

I thought it was worthy of a Gold Award so I bought 6 bottles and hope the price will continue to go up.

27th May 2015

I happened upon this Whisky with no prior knowledge of Kavalan. Cask strength means much of the joy from this drop is in the long, creamy finish. A wonderful whisky.

23rd May 2015

I agree with @Surprisingly nice. If you actually tried this whisky you wouldn't rate it so poorly. Taiwan's hot seasons simulate the aging process in spirits more quickly than the climate in Scotland which allows them to release younger spirits that are still flavorful and complex.

Kavalan ex-Bourbon really is delicious whisky, and quite unique in my collection with tropical flavors of coconut, banana and spice. Fantastic.

25th April 2015

My third experience of a Kavalan malt and whilst the other two were very good this is superb and up there with the best ex bourbon cask influenced malts I have tried. Quite a hot and spicy explosion but it soon soothes its way into your heart with its coconut,custard,vanilla,white chocolate, cinnamon toast flavours.lots going on the nose, palate and a finish to die for.A bourbon cask party in the mouth and all the flavours you expect are invited.The whisky flaneur

26th February 2015

I don't really think the guy below tasted this whisky at all because if he did he should have at least given 3 or 4 stars. The smoothness and richness of this whisky all show that, despite the cliche, age is not the most important factor.
The price is a little bit high in the UK but I got it in Taiwan; only £50 in Taiwan airport duty free shop.

16th January 2015

this whisky is OK if it's priced at 30 pounds, i wouldn't pay the price of a premium whisky for this 4 year old Kavalan

28th December 2014