Kavalan tasting at Dr. Jekyll’s Pub

Last Monday I attended a Kavalan tasting at Dr. Jekyll’s Pub in Oslo.

Kavalan whisky is produced at King Car Distillery in Taiwan. Brand ambassador Bernhard Schäfer took us through five Kavalans:

• Kavalan Single Malt 40 ABV
  • Mostly bourbon casks.
  • Added colour.
  • Available in Norway at NOK 799.
  • A smooth and easy drinking whisky.
  • My score: nose 20 / taste 20 / finish 20 / balance 20 = 80

• Kavalan Concertmaster 40 ABV
  • Mostly bourbon casks.
  • Finished approximately six months in port barrique; Portuguese ruby, tawny and vintage Port wine casks.
  • No colour added.
  • Available in Norway at NOK 699.
  • In my opinion the port finish was not fully integrated, especially on the palate.
  • My score: nose 20 / taste 19 / finish 19 / balance 20 = 78

• Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask 58,6 ABV
  • Bourbon cask #B1008x5027A, bottle 182 of 192.
  • Bottled 2015-06-16.
  • No colour added and no chill filtration.
  • Available in Norway at NOK 1473,70.
  • Lovely! Amazing! Rich, complex and delicate.
  • My score: nose 24 / taste 24 / finish 23 / balance 24 = 95

• Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask 58,6 ABV
  • The cask is a mix of different wine casks, both red and white. They rebuild the casks and uses staves from different wine casks.
  • Cask #W120217063A (I think…my picture is a bit blurry).
  • Bottled in 2015.
  • Available in Norway at NOK 1395.
  • Suprisingly meaty! Almost like a Kilchoman without the peat.
  • My score: nose 22 / taste 22 / finish 21 / balance 22 = 87

• Kavalan Solist Sherry Single Cask 57,1 ABV
  • Sherry cask #S100303011A, bottle 389 of 518.
  • Distilled 2010-03-03, bottled 2015.
  • No colour added and no chill filtration.
  • Available in Norway at NOK 1699,90.
  • A nice whisky. Just a bit too dry to get a higher score in my book.
  • My score: nose 21 / taste 22 / finish 21 / balance 21 = 85

This was a very interesting tasting! I am looking forward to tasting more Kavalan for sure.

– Tone