Number 2 from the Craft Cellars / Truth Malters Kavalan tasting. We're taking a step up from the 40% ABVs into the 46%. This one is more expensive too at $200 CAD. Now to note, none of the Kavalans are going to rate very well on the value scale. We're told during the virtual distillery tour that Kavalan loses upwards of 15% of their whisky per year to angel's share (or devil's share as they call it). About 3 times more than you would lose in Scotland. Now that's only partly an excuse because we saw the same thing with Amrut, except those bottles were more reasonably priced. Another reason Kavalan is tough on price we're told, is that they pay top dollar for their barrels. We're also given a tour of the STR process (strip-toast-rechar) which is interesting. It's the process of taking old barrels (often wine) and rejuvenating them. Kavalan spares no expense in making their product, so you should spare none in consuming it, is the idea.
Sniffing her:
Winy syrup. Potent nose. Caramel.
Cheers!
Syrupy, malty, spicy. Strong herbal note on the finish. Full flavored. Some butterscotch on the later finish.
Overall/Review: This is good. Potent flavors, decent balance, but it doesn't carry as much as the three Solists we've got coming up. Not a ton of complexity. It's just a tad harsh. It's tasty though. Stamping a 79 on this. Not one of the bottles in this tasting I picture in my cabinet, especially considering the price tag.
Cheers!
Simon from S&P
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