A limited edition gift set from Taiwan’s Kavalan distillery, featuring their world-renowned Vinho Barrique single cask with a 50ml sample of their Wine Oak single malt.
This particular bottling of the Vinho Barrique is at 54.8% whilst the Wine Oak sample is at 54%. This limited edition box set features the the leopard cat on the box and the whisky label.
In short supply ever since it was named the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the 2015 World Whiskies Awards, the Kavlan Vinho Barrique is a rare peasure for Australian drinkers these days.
The Solist series is a premium range of single malts from Taiwan’s Kavalan distillery. The Vinho Barrique has been matured in American Oak ex-wine casks, which previously held a mixture of red and white wines.
Bottled as a single cask at cask strength, it carries all the complex richness that we expect from Kavalan. The Vinho is particularly fruity, with dominant tropical fruits and layers of spice.
When it was named the World’s Best Single Malt the judging panel said, “Lots of stewed fruits on the nose. There’s also aged Bourbon notes. Water brings out custard creams. Surprisingly smooth on the palate. The alcohol is very present. It’s like Bourbon infused milk chocolate.
“Another nutty, meaty, savoury nose, with sweet notes in the backdrop. Very sweet pruney flavours initially on the palate, with fruit cake and big clove, chilli and dry cinnamon. Walnut and hazelnut on the very dry finish.
“Immediately and subtly liquor rich. Tiny bit of incense, a thread of spice and smoke.
“Caramel, marzipan, coffee-vanilla, fudge, rich, creamy, dried black fruits. Integrated and surprisingly light. Element of sandalwood. Starts creamy, waters out, almost disappears before rubbing hot brown sugar into the oesophagus. Tiny bitter trace.”
Owned by the King Car Group, the Kavalan distillery was built to state of the art specifcations and started distilling in 2006. Under the guidance of master blender Ian Cheng and Scottish whisky legend Dr Jim Swan, who has had a strong advisory role, it has become one of the benchmarks in the whisky world.
