70cl, 57.8% ABV
Matured in top-quality Spanish Oloroso sherry casks in special editions, Kavalan Solist Sherry is bottled by hand at the distillery. It isn’t chill-filtered, nor is any colouring adding ensuring it is a naturally smooth and rich whisky with a soft, velvety mouthfeel and complex character.
Rich and dark flavours dominate from the very beginning: raisins, stewed prunes, PX-sherry sweetness, marzipan, spiced fruit cake and salty liquorice.
More savoury than suggested from the nose, although still packed with fruit – sour plums, sharp red grapes and cloves are joined by rich fruit cake, cinnamon sugar, marzipan and a background hint of black liquorice. Water helps open up the whisky, adding butter and cream, and sweetening the fruity notes.
Long and spicy, with dark fruit and clove lingering.
Excellent cask-selection is paramount for this whisky, as the wood has provided so much of the flavour. However, the fruity character of Kavalan’s spirit still shines through.