Spirit Type: Single Malt

Country: Taiwan

ABV:  56.3%

Bottle size: 70cl

Description:

In 2005, Kavalan launched the primary distillery on the island of Taiwan, an area no one is probable to have ever mistaken for the isles of Scotland. At that time, some people outside the business could have supposed the subtropical climes of Yilan County would produce world-class whisky, but that is precisely what's happened.

Kavalan wins awards and lots of them. Therefore, the whisky has developed quite stylish among collectors. With its ever-present moisture and an average temperature of 72 degrees, the area just south of Taipei is factually a source of high-end hooch.

Excitingly, Kavalan Solist Peaty is not a peated whisky in the conventional sense, in which the wheat grain (a.k.a. damp malt) is bare to intense peat smoke at the time of dryness. Instead, Kavalan's master blender Ian Chang came up with the unpeated whisky and rested it in casks previously used to mature the peated stuff.

There are two reasons for this. Firstly, peat isn't a readily accessible fuel source in Taiwan; secondly, folks in that part of the world usually prefer fruity rather than smoky drams.

Wonderfully tropical, sugary, and intricate. Thoroughly mango cream, ripe kiwi, honeydew melon with smoked ham, and a slightly waxy impression. Apart from the burned ham, there is no smoke but rather a spiciness. The alcohol is evident if one holds the fragrance too briskly into the glass.

The product's taste is influential, intense, and robust on the tongue. It has pepper chili oil, and now the smokiness on the language comes after. Later comes the mineral smokiness with waxy fruitiness, along with the honeydew melon, mango, and some caramel. It is less intense and also, fruity with water.

It has fetched several awards on its name, for instance, Master, in Asian Single Malt - Premium - 2019 at The World Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business), Master in Asian Single Malt - Premium - 2018 at The World Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business) and  Silver in Whisky Made in Asia - 2019 at The Asian Spirits Masters (The Spirits Business). 

The product's finish is sweet and long, supported by the link with mineral smoke. Moreover, toffee, sweet vanilla, and subtle bitter oak notes taste. The sweet mangoes and honey melons remain but endure to be coated with wax.