Here we have two of the latest releases from Kavalan distillery in Taiwan. The first is a 15 year old expression called Four-Cask Matured. It is a mix of bourbon, Oloroso sherry, ruby Port and puncheon casks. It seems a bit odd to name three after their seasoning and the fourth based on its size, right?
Next up is Kavalan Peatist. I first read that as peatiest, but it’s only moderately peated. I guess the name is an analogy for their Solist range. Here you have different casks for different markets. On the label it says Single Cask Strength.
Kavalan 15 yo ‘Four-Cask Matured’ (43%, OB 2025)
Nose: highly aromatic, with a wave of red berries and wood polish that reminds me of the Triple Sherry Cask. Blueberries and stewed plums, as well as tropical fruits like mango and pineapple. Then a hint of coconut, along with mild chocolate and orange peels. Even a hint of dried flower petals that you sometimes get in cognac as well.
Mouth: rich and aromatic, with this cognac-like note again. Some raisins, red berries again, also sour cherry, blood orange and light hints of caramelized nuts. High acidity. Then mild herbs, cinnamon and cardamom. Finally it moves towards fruit tea, with a growing layer of plain oak, including a touch of bitterness.
Finish: quite long, drying on toasted wood, more tea leaves, cinnamon powder and grassy herbs.
I really liked the Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask and this is in fact very similar. A bit of a designer whisky with highly active wood, but certainly a nice recipe. The (moderately) increased ABV is also a plus. On the other hand this comes at more than double the price, so in terms of value for money we were far better off with one cask type less.
Kavalan Peatist – ex-bourbon cask (54,8%, OB 2025)
Nose: there is dry smoke up front, balanced by vanilla sweetness and honey, along with mashed banana. More coconut, ripe greengages and caramel coated peanuts, giving it a rummy profile at times. Just a little moist earth and rotting orange too. The smoke is well-dosed, but the overall complexity is limited.
Mouth: still a slightly funky mix of rounder sweetness and sharper peat. Coffee bonbons, caramelized nuts, hints of dried mango slices. Then a drop of antiseptics and tonic water. Dry earth, some plankish tannins as well. It goes in different directions.
Finish: fairly long, with mulch, burnt oak, orange and tobacco.
Here the balance just isn’t right. It has some funky elements and the typical exotic fruitiness of Kavalan fails to stand out. If anything the price is too heavy for what it has to offer. I found samples of both at Whiskysite.nl. Score: 82/100