Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique (57.1%)

Incredible. Well rounded, complex, full bodied and unique. Unique. There are so many fruity, appealing drams out there that are good... Yet do not stand out. This one stands out, boldly. And delivers mouthful of joy and indulgence to every honest dram lover who cares not, where on earth the whisky was created. Will buy again.

3rd May 2021

This is a strange one. Yes, I agree there are flashes of brilliance: intensity, spice, raisins, stewed fruit. Drinkable, enjoyable with a spot of water or even ice! But the quality of the alcohol, while not rocket fuel, has not developed or decayed like a top barrel-matured single malt. Hence there is joy and complexity next to an annoying immaturity, arriving too soon like an uninvited guest fressing over a well prepared buffet.... or so it seemed to me.

I'm glad I tried it but it for the price I'll try something else next time.

23rd January 2020

Unless I got a fake.. number 2. This tastes like rocket fuel. Bought in duty free Tel Aviv.

18th October 2019

Extraordinary. Whilst 99% of whiskies elicit that urge to analyse, conjuring images of flavour wheels, just very occasionally there is one that transcends all these promptings with a procession of emotional responses instead. I described another Kavalan as a meal prepared by a enfant terrible chef. This is one prepared by a cordon bleu master. The best I've ever tasted.

18th September 2019

Quite an amazing dram. Huge chocolate stewed fruits and vanilla oak spice. It’s very thick with s big chewy mouth feel. At such a stricken abv I was surprised how little water it needed. I purchased another and put it on my shelf.

15th March 2019

Wonderful! Bringing it in with this one. Love it.

29th December 2018

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique is an amazing spirit with smooth, fresh and vivid textures. I had the pleasure of visiting the Kavalan distilery in Taiwan in 2017 and tasting most of their signiture spirits. Despite trying plenty of scotch and whisky, I admit I never heard of Taiwanese whisky. The Vinho Barrique and the Amontillado are superior spirits in every sense, and true competitors against any top brass scotch. I had to wait for a year to get my Vinho Barrique after I signed up myself on their official waiting list. I’ve come to the conclusion that taste is a subjective definition, but the following drink is smooth despite the high alcohol proof; you can sense notes of chocolate, fruits, caramel, and, I know how that some people will roll their eyes at this, but I can’t describe this in any other way except fresh crisp mountain water. This is not Japanese whisky and if you are looking to be shocked by how good whisky can be, well then the high price is your final frontier.

23rd December 2018

This is absolutelu beautiful sherry monster that beats most of the overpriced, overhyped japanese mediocre yamazakis. Only second to Kavalan Solsist Sherry cask. That is like sherry atomic bomb going off in your mouth.

24th September 2018

Unless I got a fake.. There was none of these notes that is mentioned by The Chaps @ Master of Malt.. This tastes like rocket fuel. Seems like Ka Va Lan is attempting to copy Japanese whiskey; it was chill filtered and even then it tastes like rocket fuel. For the pricing, you might as well go for a nice speyside or islay or Japanese whiskey. I would not recommend this to anyone for the pricing point. It is not much diff than a JW Black Label. Just horrible and a waste of money

8th August 2018