2008 Kavalan Solist “Sherry Cask – K&L Exclusive” Cask Strength Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $209.99 View

The spectacular Kavalan Sherry Cask “Solist” has become harder and harder to get. The importer used to bring samples by once or twice a year and we’d get to pick one and pray it showed up, but now they’ve got a number of other flavors they’re focusing on and the incredibly delicious Sherry Cask, their most highly regarded regular release, has become extremely limited. That’s why we were absolutely flabergasted to find that an entire cask of Solist Sherry (Solist is the international name for the cask strength single barrels and the name does not appear on the label) had been sitting in the importers warehouse for several years. We got our hands on a sample and fell in love. This wild cask of Kavalan was distilled way back in 2008 and bottled almost 5 years ago. It’s been sitting in the warehouse while our single barrels have come and gone. We’re not sure if this cask was partially sold into other markets, but we bought all 40 cases left. While that might seem like a lot, we typically get 80+ out of a sherry butt. Due to the incredible scarcity and allocated nature of this product, we don’t expect it to last very long. The style here is sweeter and rounder than some of the hardcore tannic versions we’ve had in the past. Deep fruit compote, bold exotic spices and roasted hazelnuts coupled with a rich chewy texture that’s become the hallmark of this exceptional bottling.