This single barrel Ex-Bourbon Solist was exclusively bottled for members of KavaFan. (142 total bottles). It was barreled on August 28, 2008, and bottled on October 5, 2017. 9 years, 1 month, 8 days old.
Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan Bottling) B080828075, bottle 26/142, 55.6% ABV
- Nose: Creamy vanilla off the top, pineapple, piña colada, melon, bourbon-like caramel, short-bread, and a nice spicy oakiness.
- Taste: Vanilla pudding, really good crème brûlée, coconut, piña colada, oak, and a faint cinnamon spiciness.
- Finish: Medium/long, very good viscosity, coconut, fruit, and spicy oak notes linger.
- Thoughts: An outstanding expression! Lots of depth and complexity, great mouth-feel. The flavors are easily distinctive, with very good balance.
- Score: 93 + NA value point(s) = 93/100
But how does it compare to a standard Ex-Bourbon Solist? “Let’s find out, shall we?” – @tomodera 🙂
Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon, 57.8% ABV
- General thoughts: Very solid whisky. Vanilla, pineapple, melon and caramel. Musty oak and spiciness. Finish is medium/long, good viscosity.
- Score: 87.5 + NA value point(s) = 87.5/100
Head-to-Head: The KavaFan bottling has much more depth, richness, and volume. Cleaner and crisper, more complexity. The extra age (9 years vs about 6) has really done wonders to this! 9 years in Taiwan seems like 25+ in Scotland. The people who selected this cask for our group did an amazing job. Outstanding whisky!
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Scores:
After my initial score I will add or subtract points relative on how I perceive value (based on what I paid for the bottle). A zero value means I think the price is justified.
0-69.5 – Don’t bother trying, life is too short for bad spirit.
70-79.5 – Worth trying, but you’re not missing out if you don’t.
80-84.5 – I recommend trying.
85-87.5 – Definitely try this!
88-92.5 – I recommend buying a bottle blind!
93-95.5 – Stuff you reserve for special pours!
96+ – The meaning of life.
My previous scores (including value points)
Score-Value-Total
Ardbeg 10 88.5
Ardbeg Corryvrickan 92.5
Ardbeg Kelpie 91.5
Ardbeg Uigeadail 91.0
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel – Sherry 89.0
Blanton’s Gold 87.0
Booker’s (2015-01) 89.5
Bowmore 12 84.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 92.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 94.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1 89.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.3 90.5
Canadian Club 40 86.5
Caol Ila 12 82.0
Compass Box – Peat Monster 85.5
Eagle Rare 10 85.0
Elmer T. Lee 87.0
Glendronach 12 Original 83.0
Glendronach 15 Revival 92.0
Glendroanch 18 Allardice 90.5
Glendronach 21 Parliament 91.0
Glenfarclas 25 93.5
Highland Park 15 87.0
Highland Park 25 92.0
Jack Daniel’s SB-BP (16-0574) 89.0
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (57.8) 87.5
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan) 93.0
Kavalan Solist – Sherry Cask (58.7%) 90.5
Kavalan Solist – Vinho Barrique (57%) 89.5
Lagavulin 16 90.0
Laphroaig 10 85.5
Laphroaig Cairdeas Madeira 2016 87.5
Lot No. 40 86.0
Lot No. 40 Cask Strength 12yr 89.0
Macallan 12 Double Cask 79.0
Macallan 12 Fine Oak 84.0
Macallan 17 Fine Oak 88.0
Macallan 18 Fine Oak 85.0
Macallan 10 Sherry 83.0
Macallan 12 Sherry 88.0
Macallan 18 Sherry (1997) 92.5
Macallan Edition 2 90.0
Orphan Barrel – Barterhouse 88.0
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr 93.5
Sazerac Rye 88.5
Stagg Jr. (Batch 4) 83.0
Talisker 25 89.0
W.L. Weller 12 88.0
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