TLDR;
1)Kavalan 2016 Whisky Live 2023 57.1%
Rich, sweet and wood trunk.
Nice scale: 85/100
2)Ballechin 2007 12YO Whisky Live 2019 60.2%
Honey syrup, oily and cigarette ash.
Nice scale: 84/100
1)Kavalan 2016 Whisky Live 2023 57.1%
Distillate at Kavalan in 2016 and aged in a virgin oak( #N161021039A) for 7 years, bottled in 2023 for Whisky Live Singapore at a cask strength of 57.1%.
I have tried a few Kavalans before, mainly the Solist series like the Vinho(s) and ex-bourbon. But, I don't always quite appreciate the beauty of it and they do more Single Cask bottlings than some of the Independent Bottlers and way more than your other Official distillery bottlers!
Anyway, let me try to appreciate this bottle.
Kavalan 2016 Whisky Live 2023 57.1%
Nose: Orange, sweet brown sugary expressions are readily available. There is a good presence of alcohol too. A little wood trunk notes, hawthorn and really does remind me of a TCM stall again, with their TCM dry berries. Vanilla, leather and a light touch of peach.
Mouth: Rich and sweet. Honey and oak spice- a goood presence of the oak spice. Light touch of creaminess, sweet cream that lasts in the mouth. I do find some quick tobacco expression in the second sip.
Finish: The main flavours evaporate fast, and some tea-ish bitter remains.
Nose I layered, a good depth to this young whisky. I do like the hawthorn notes in the nose, the mouth is more towards quick, sweet deliveries. Just the finish is hardly to be found other than the bitterness. Overall, I will appreciate this more over time as it oxidises a little more.
Nice scale: 85/100
2)Ballechin 2007 12YO Whisky Live 2019 60.2%
Ballechin, the peated Edraduor that was treated to a finish in Karuizawa Cask for a 25 month stay. Distillate on 09/02/ 2007 an bottled on 21/08/2019 from a single cask (#444) at a cask strength of 60.2%.
Ballechin 2007 12YO Whisky Live 2019 60.2%
Nose: Sugary-the white sugar notes, slightly sharp, nose feels watery. There is nuts and
dusty feelings to it. And it's more of a ashy smoke-how do I put it; it's like you put a burnt cigarette into the water.
Mouth: It is sweet and round, honey syrups with an oily mouthfeel to it. The weight of the liquid is leaning towards the lighter side, but it is not super/very light. I find some light veggie expressions in it as well.
Finish: Oily and light sweetness lingers around, syrups.
Good balance to the liquid, an easy experience. I have yet to try any Karuizawa bottling before, so I can't comment much on the play of the Karuizawa cask. Just the overall package is good.
Nice scale: 84/100
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