Kavalan – Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength (70cl, 57.8%)

A single cask, cask strength whisky from Kavalan in Taiwan, bottled in 2015 at 57.8% in a 70cl bottle. It is bottle 204 of 255. It matured fully in used American oak wine barrels that had held both red and white wines, toasted and recharred to bring out a fruity vanilla note. The colour is a deep autumn gold. On the nose there is vanilla and caramelised sugars with dark chocolate, then ripe melon, mango, kiwi and citrus, and pepper waiting in the background. The palate is clean and complex, followed by a long aftertaste.