Kavalan ex-bourbon (for The Nectar)

Kavalan released an ex-bourbon expression for their Belgian importer The Nectar. I’m not sure why it doesn’t say Solist on the label, as far as I can tell it is a single cask release?

There’s also a new brandy cask release for TastToe (59,4%).

Kavalan ex-bourbon 2009 (54,8%, OB for The Nectar 2014, cask #B091103031A, 193 btl.)

Nose: starts a bit woody, but in a fresh way. A lot of vanilla, hints of caramel and banana. Fresh coconut. A bit like light American whiskey, if not for the tropical touches (pineapple, mango). Some toasted oak and ginger.

Mouth: really sweet and fairly oak-infused again. Vanilla, coconut, pears and oranges (sweet ones at first, bitter ones as well). Lots of punchy spices, like ginger, mint and pepper. A high pressure cooked American white oak infusion.

Finish: long, still some bitterish echoes but also sweet vanilla and golden syrup.

Parts of this Kavalan are really great (the fruitiness, the pure focus on what American oak can impart) but sometimes I feel its too simple and too woody. Good but not worth the price. Around € 135.

Score: 86/100