Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask

Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask

7.6 out of 10

The Kavalan hype may have passed, but its class remains intact. Who knew Taiwanese whisky could taste this good? I’m genuinely impressed. The price is still steep due to its ongoing popularity. Yet, it’s still a satisfying whisky

Taste
8.3 out of 10
Vanilla and honey, but overwhelmed by an intense spiciness. Clean aftertaste with lingering sweetness
Nose (Aroma)
8.5 out of 10
Floral notes with sweet coconut and vanilla aromas, with a gentle, smooth fragrance that gradually unfolds
Finish
8.1 out of 10
Long and warming. The initial spice surge mellows into tropical fruits and toasted oak. Leaves a pleasant bourbon-influenced sweetness with hints of dried mango and vanilla custard. The high ABV makes itself known but doesn't overpower
Price
5.3 out of 10
Recently, this whisky's retail price has shot well past $200, which is honestly too expensive. It's not that it doesn't taste good, but spending $200 on this whisky seems excessive. If you can find it under $150 at duty-free, it might not be a bad investment.

Short Story

While Kavalan, produced in Taiwan, has a short history, it received high praise from whisky enthusiasts even before the whisky boom. Of course, good marketing played a role, but fundamentally, many praised it for being “more Scotch-like than Scotch” due to Taiwan’s unique hot and humid climate affecting whisky maturation.

Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask is a cask strength (CS) product, matured in American oak barrels that previously held bourbon. Kavalan has several Solist (CS) products, but the Bourbon Cask is considered the best value for money, is easily available in duty-free, and is popular for its characteristic sweetness.

A unique aspect of Kavalan is that most products are NAS (No Age Statement). Unlike Scotland’s whisky homeland with its cool breezes, Taiwan’s hot and humid climate accelerates maturation. Marketing-wise, it would be difficult to sell a 4-year-old whisky against a 12-year-old, even if they taste the same. Personally, I think the main reason is that Kavalan is still a relatively new distillery without many aged products. Perhaps in 10 years, we’ll see more age-statement Kavalan products (though they’ll probably be expensive).

The initial nose is extremely smooth. You get coconut and vanilla aromas, but they’re gentle and smooth rather than sharp with alcohol. Even putting your nose deep in the glass won’t overwhelm you. However, when you taste it, an intense spicy pepper flavor hits your palate hard.

There are subtle vanilla and honey notes, but they quickly pass due to the high alcohol content. Yet, this brief passing creates an appealing balance, and I personally recommend adding a little water. This reduces the spiciness and amplifies the vanilla and honey flavors, significantly enhancing its charm.

Now I’m almost done with this

Final Verdict

If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend buying and trying this whisky. As someone living in Korea where soju dominates, it’s somewhat enviable how delicious this Taiwanese whisky is. Kavalan became famous thanks to its Solist lineup, and this is the most accessible one.

In my opinion, this whisky commands respect starting from its name. “Kavalan” – I initially thought it was a new Scotch brand. Then they created various lineups using the sophisticated term ‘Solist’ rather than traditional, straightforward terms like ‘cask strength’, shows how they putting much effort in marketing.