Description

Kavalan Solist Port Cask Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 60.2%            Age: No Age Statement           Country: Taiwan

The Whisky

Celebrate the spirit of the dragon with this exclusive Kavalan Solist Port Cask (Lunar New Year 2024 Edition). Bottled specifically for our collection and presented at a majestic cask strength of 60.2% ABV, this 700ml single malt is a masterclass in Taiwanese maturation. While the Kavalan Solist series is world renowned, this private selection was hand picked for its extraordinary depth and festive character to honour the 2024 Lunar New Year.

Matured in a single, high quality Portuguese Port Pipe, the spirit has thrived in the intense subtropical heat of Yilan. This “fast track” maturation creates a whisky of immense concentration, where the rich, fortified wine influence has stained the spirit a deep, ruby mahogany. As a private bottling, it offers a more tailored and intense profile than the standard Solist releases, making it a definitive trophy for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: An opulent and bright bouquet that opens with a vibrant burst of zesty mandarin and ruby grapefruit. This citrus lift is beautifully anchored by a dense heart of dried dark fruits—think sun-drenched raisins and prunes. As it settles in the glass, a sophisticated layer of dark chocolate ganache emerges, dusted with subtle wood spices like Ceylon cinnamon and star anise.

Palate: The arrival is thick, luxurious, and decadent. It tastes like a rich chocolate tart topped with a mountain of fresh summer berries—blackcurrants, wild strawberries, and plump blueberries. The mid-palate is a “vanilla explosion,” providing a creamy, velvety texture that softens the 60.2% power. A subtle, refined citrus edge runs throughout, ensuring the heavy fruit and chocolate notes remain perfectly balanced and lively.

Finish: Long, resonant, and celebratory. The finish shifts toward the exotic, with lingering notes of syrupy tropical fruits and pomelo, finally tapering off with a warming, lingering glow of sweet oak spice.

The Distillery

Kavalan, located in Yilan County, Taiwan, has redefined the whisky world since it began distilling in 2005. A unique factual detail: The distillery utilises the “Swan neck” still design and the intense Taiwanese humidity to achieve a level of ester-rich complexity in just a few years that would take decades in Scotland. This specific Port Cask Solist highlights the distillery’s mastery of “wine wood,” utilising the porous nature of Port pipes to extract maximum flavour, resulting in a spirit that is unashamedly bold, fruity, and complex.

Overall Review

The Kavalan Solist Port Cask Lunar New Year 2024 Selection is a “tour de force” of fruit and spice. Globally reviewed as one of the most consistent award winners in the Solist range, this specific private bottling at 60.2% is praised for its impeccable balance of berry sweetness and citrus acidity. It is a mandatory purchase for those celebrating the New Year or anyone seeking the pinnacle of high proof, wine matured whisky.