Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Cask Strength Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky (700ml)

Note: the current packaging comes without the ribbon neck tie.

Tasting note: Matured in a Fino Sherry cask. Eye catching deep polished copper colour with gold ochre edges. Sensational, lifted bouquet offers up sweet yet fresh notes of oatmeal biscuit, dates, vanilla and mocha. Light entry develops into a heavy, mildly tannic, delicately bittersweet concentrate of dried fruits, roasted nuts, vanilla, caramel fudge and sweet spice. Fabulous length and balance. Late power wave finishes this in distinctively Armagnac-like style. Super long. The aftertaste goes on for minutes. A bombshell from Kavalan! 57% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... [57.8% bottling tasted] Lustrous amber color. The nose is almost unbelievably rich with aromas of caramelized bananas and pineapples, German chocolate cake, toffee and spices with a supple, fruity-yet-dry full body and a seemingly endless finish with cascading waves of fruits, spices, and confections. Amazingly balanced without water and with water it shines even brighter. One of the world's best whiskies.
International Review of Spirits Award: Platinum Medal
100 points (Superlative) - www.tastings.com

Each cask of this nicely packaged malt is selected by the distiller, and so there is considerable variation between batches. This one is a step up from last year's releases. It's slightly weaker, but the nose has firmed up into a delightful mix of fresh juicy grape and a spicy dustiness. Tastewise this takes an amazing journey from plummy, sweet fruit up front to a slow dominance of dry sherry at the end. The finish is longer than before. Excellent.
91 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Dominic Roskrow (Summer 2012)