Behind the remarkable rise of Kavalan was Ian Chang – known for his kindness, exacting attention, and incredible nose. After 15 years of bringing awards and recognition to Kavalan, Ian moved on in 2020. Rumour had it that there were pressures to more aggressively capitalize on their success, speeding things up in a way that may compromise quality. Be that as it may, Ian Chang has moved on to Japan to Komoro Distillery, part of Karuizawa Distillers.
Bottom line, this particular expression from Kavalan is part of their heydey period, shortly after the Vinho Barrique expression won awards for its intense aromas and flavours. This particular expression was a well-traveled whisky – from Taiwan to Germany to UK… opened in October 2023 in London. Then a small sample made its way back to Germany, then further on to India where I settled down to consider it one fine evening at the close of 2023.
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique (2016) W160331032A 57.1% Bottle 048 of 201
- Colour – What a stunning deep ruby
- Nose – Oh my! What a luscious aroma, mahogany wood, dusty black pepper, overripe melon, tart cherries and chocolate, stewed plums
- Palate – Equally powerful on the palate! Like chewing on cherry wood, dates, nutty caramel, sweet spices, intense
- Finish – Dry, with plenty of red wine tannins, something a tinge soapy
- Water – Opens up with the nose shifting from intense dry fruits to juicy plums, ripe figs, caramelized walnuts and then on the palate, shifts to ripe kiwis, berries and red grapes
Talk about intense! Big and bold. No mistaking this is one full-bodied voluptuous whisky with a lot going on. Heavy, commanding attention. Even after the glass was empty, the aromas swirled around. Berries and vanilla and wood. Quite something!
What do the folks at Kavalan have to say about this expression?
Vinho is fully matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and recharred in a way that brings out fruity vanilla notes from the wood into the whisky overlaid on a delicate background of complex fruitiness.
It has a complex and multi-dimensional background of pepper, spice, dates and other fruits, such as ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of bursting citrus fruits.
As for the official tasting notes, here you go:
- Nose – A rich fusion of vanilla and caramelized sugars with dark chocolate on top. Ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of citrus fruits burst. Pepper is also present in the background waiting to be noticed.
- Palate – The taste ends with clean and complex flavours embodying all that is best in the finest malt whiskies enjoying a long aftertaste.
- Tasting – We suggest drinking Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask neat.
Would I agree? Yes…though personally, I preferred it with a bit of water.
Curious about other Kavalan experiences? There have been more than a few over the years – mostly from the period of 2008 – 2016 when I tended to come across Kavalan more readily via whisky shows or complements of Malt Maniac Krishna Nakula:
- Kavalan Classic Single Malt 40%, Mar’18
- Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish 40% (2015), May 2018, Dec 2020
- Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak 46%
- Kavalan Sherry Oak 46%
- Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask (2010) B100924087A Bottle 008/200 59.4%
- Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask (2010) B101124001A, Bottle 102/230 58.6%
- Kavalan Solist Brandy Cask (2009) AO90709055 Bottle 052/281 55.6%
- Kavalan Solist Peaty Cask (2009) R091214006A Bottle No 043/137 54.8%
- Kavalan Solist Port Cask (2009) 0090728014A Bottle 188/205 58.6%
- Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (2008) S081229026 Bottle No 421/527 55.6%
- Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (2009) S090102020 Bottle No 258/511 57.1%
- Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (2009) S090608029A Bottle No 269/485 58.6%
- Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (2009) S0906080388 Bottle 098/522 57.8%
- Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (2010) S1001200358, Bottle No 025/507 57.8%
- Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Cask (2010) FI1007070264 Bottle 441/575 57%
- Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique (2012) W120727102A Bottle 213/231 57.1%
- Kavalan at Whisky Live Singapore 2016
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