Kavalan – Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength (70cl, 55.6%)

This is a single cask, cask strength Taiwanese single malt from Kavalan, bottled in 2015 at 55.6% ABV. It is bottle 136 of 220 and comes in a 70cl bottle. The whisky was matured fully in used American oak wine barrels that were toasted and recharred. The barrels had held both red and white wines, which add a background of fruitiness to the vanilla character of the spirit and wood. The colour is deep autumn gold. The nose combines vanilla, caramelised sugars and dark chocolate with ripe melon, mango, kiwi and citrus, and a background of pepper. The palate is clean and complex, with a long aftertaste.