Nose: Fruit mince pies, mixed peel, dry sherry, Mount Gay Extra Old Rum, roasted chestnuts, Gummy Bears.
Palate: Huge tangy fruitiness, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, mixed herbs, peppery heat and some drying oak.
Finish: Medium length with a battle between the tangy fruitiness and the oaky dryness.
Last Word: As good a young whisky as I’ve tried and incredible for such a young distillery.
Rating: 90/100
Hi Brian, the Vinho Barrique expression clearly is my favourite expression from the Solist series. As everybody else I am amazed that a four-year old whisky can be as complex as this one. In the end, though, it doesn’t get any higher than 85/100 in my count, and to be very honest I generally prefer the Chichibu bottlings over any Kavalan.
Still a very respectable score for such a young whisky Pierre and shows that this newish distillery has potential.
Hey,
I’m enjoying your blog, and finding it useful. I’ve just been doing a bit of research into Japanese whisky because I’m visiting Vietnam in a couple of weeks, and am hoping there’ll be some good deals in the duty free! Check my blog if you want to find out how I got on.
Thanks again,
Neil Cake
dihuli.blogspot.com
Hi Neil,
Not sure what your going to find duty free Vietnam. I’ve been there and can’t remember anything special at the airport at least in Hanoi. But hey, they’ve not got a great selection at major airports in Japan either! Glad your enjoying the blog.
Cheers
Brian
Thanks! I’ll be visiting HCM City and Hanoi airports, so I’ll be sure to have a good look. I’ll also look in Dubai airport on the way there, so there’s always a chance of getting something. And if I can’t, I’ll just get something when I get home!
I’ve also heard there’s such a thing as Mekong Whisky, which is supposed to be like rum, so I’ll keep an eye out for that, too.
Interesting, Brian. I was just talking about this today and looking forward to obtaining it.
I’ve tasted some of their standard fair Clint and wasn’t that impressed. From what I’ve read and what I’ve tasted a lot of their single cask offerings are looking the good though.
Brian