Prakaan Select Cask | Whisky Lady

Thailand holds a special place for my partner and I. It was where we took our first trip together, cementing a relationship that became a commitment. At the time, I certainly had a penchant for exploring whiskies, and we even spent a few days staying with friends who shared that curiosity. However, it was inconceivable that Thailand would be producing its own whisky?!

Fast forward many years to the June 2025 global launch of Prakaan with its trio “Tribuna Series” with

Prakaan Select Cask 43% – ex bourbon cask
Prakaan Double Cask 43% – ex bourbon and ex sherry cask
Prakaan Peated Malt 43%

Prakaan shared that Tribura in Thai means the three layers of a fortified wall, built to defend the Kingdom of Thailand. These three make up their inaugural global releases.

So what did we think?

We began with the Select Cask, identified as matured in ex-Bourbon casks.

Prakaan Select Cask 43%

Nose – It began with a heavy, almost artificial caramel, some varnish or nail polish, then baby puke, some rough wood edges… then it began to shift from a chemist’s lab to a compost! Vegetal, increasingly sticky sweet, like a mixed fruit candy with no discernible specific fruit, think Tuti Fruiti ice cream, then some lime zest, dry balsa wood
Palate – Peppery and harsh initially – quite young and hard to glean much else
Finish – Nothing beyond a bit bitter
Water – Really needs it! Water helps tone down the harshness and boosts the resin

This expression needed both time in the glass and generous dollops of water. However, let’s face it – overall, it was young, a bit brash, and not terribly interesting.

Here is what they have to say :

PRAKAAN SELECT CASK single whisky is the epitome of our house style. It is rich and smooth with tropical fruits, honey, vanilla, and hints of lemon peel.

Nose – Soft tropical fruits and zesty citrus defined beautifully against lush honey sweetness, creamy vanilla, and comforting undertones of lemon cake.
Palate – Round sweetness of caramelised pineapple slices and chewy toffee, complemented with the rich perfume of freshly-ground spices and hints of candied lemon peel.
Finish – Mature and long-lasting with ripe fruitiness.

I’m afraid we wouldn’t agree with the marketing spin. Even with it mellowed somewhat with water and time in the glass, we didn’t find most of the elements described.

Prakaan Double Cask 43%

Nose – Much shyer compared with the Select Cask. Also had lots of fruits like peach and dark berries, there was a perfume-like quality, some vanilla, mixed fruit sherbert, then settled into tinned pineapple
Palate – Initially spicy, fruity, raisins, and caramel
Finish – Loads of spice, a touch bitter
Water – With water and time, it mellowed considerably, becoming more and more approachable and enjoyable

What a difference! The sherry cask took it from harsh to spice, baby puke to tinned pineapple… It was spirity and spirited initially, nicely opening up.

Here’s what they have to say:

Nose – Ripe tropical fruit smothered in layers of melting dessert chocolate and vanilla. Raisins and candied citrus peels follow, balancing this vibrant and decadent composition.
Palate – Rich and delicious. Pineapples in syrup and ripe mangoes underlined by elegant oaky vanilla and dark sweetness of warm toffee.
Finish – Full-bodied and smooth with oaky and leathery tones contrasted by a light touch of grated orange zest.

We didn’t get so much of the chocolate, however, the pineapple was spot on! Whilst I wouldn’t describe it as elegant, it was a more than decent early offering for a new distillery.

After two un-peated expressions, we were curious to see what Prakaan could do with some peat…

Prakaan Peated Malt 43%

Nose – Peat – the gentle, smoky, sweet kind. Though the whisky was a touch astringent, it was warming with a dark chocolate, vanilla sweetness, topped with a hint of salt
Palate – Roasted coffee, lots of tobacco, and an almost mocha element
Finish – Bitter and dry at first, then a nice smoky, slightly briney close
Water – Again, we would suggest adding it!

There was no mistaking the peat here. Using peated barley from Scotland, the different elements worked here. It continued to mellow in the glass – with the smoky finish particularly appealing over time.

Here is what they have to say about their peated expression:

Nose – Fresh tropical fruits complemented by a layer of soft wood smoke, evocative of a fire on the beach. Spices and rich vanilla sauce in the background bring elegance to this delicious bouquet.
Palate – Sweet and textured. Smoke comes to the fore but keeps its gentle, round quality. Caramel and runny honey follow with citrus and pineapple shining through.
Finish – Warming and long, the finish descends slowly from bright fruitiness to sweet smoke.

For the most part, we would agree. For several, this was the hit of the trio, though the Double Cask was interesting too. Alas, the Select Cask just didn’t measure up for us. And that is ok – the whole purpose of tasting groups like ours is to collectively explore more together than we would ever venture to try on our own!