Spirit Type: Single Malt

Country: Taiwan

ABV:  46%

Bottle size: 70cl

The Kavalan Sherry Oak is a Taiwanese single malt whisky that belongs to the Kavalan Distillery’s core range.

The casks used for this bottle are the same ones that are used for their cask-strength solist range. However, what makes this whisky special is that it is diluted to 46% with Kavalan Spring water.

With essences of dried fruit, tastes of vanilla, and a cocoa finish, this bottle will definitely give you the Kavalan experience with a little twist.

Description:

The ex-Sherry Oak, introduced in 2016 as a staple of the Kavalan line, uses the same Oloroso sherry casks that are used to mature the Solist Sherry expressions but dilute them to 46%. On the box, bottle, or website, neither the chill filtration nor the coloring is mentioned. It's safe to presume that they don't utilize cold filtration or coloring since all they say is using Kavalan spring water for the dilution.

Root beer is the color, and It smells strongly of sherry, with notes of luscious red apples, raisins, plums, olives, and plums. Then marmite, soy, and finally, balsamic reduction introduce a vegetal and savory umami flavor. More dark, dried fruit and balsamic are encouraged by water.

It has a pleasant texture in the mouth and is moderately greasy. When you arrive, you can still taste the meaty, yeasty aroma from the nose. It has dark fruit that has been soaked in sherry, black cherries, damson jam, a faint peppery heat, dark chocolate, and wood. It is incredibly rich. Finish: Dry and a little bit bitter and tanning. Water draws attention to its young since it simply disintegrates, losing both body and flavor distinction.

Not the extraordinary experience I had hoped for, sadly. Although it's not the best in the world, it is fascinating and engaging to some extent. I can't make a straight comparison because I haven't used the Solist phrase, but on its own, it falls short. It has a fantastic nose. Even at 46%, the cask has overrun the spirit, albeit it is intriguing and engaging. On the tongue, however, it falls short.