Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength 55.6% Y160601009A

Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength 55.6% Y160601009A

Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength 55.6% Y160601009A is a single-cask Taiwanese whisky from Kavalan Distillery, part of the Solist series matured in Brandy casks. It is bottled non-chill filtered and at full cask strength, showcasing the distillery’s signature tropical fruit character together with rich dried fruit, vanilla, caramel and woody notes.

This bottle comes at 55.6% ABV and has a volume of 700ml. The cask number Y160601009A indicates that it originates from a single selected Brandy cask, making it a very limited and distinctive expression.

Production and Style
Kavalan Distillery, located in Taiwan and operated by King Car Group, has been crafting single malt whisky since 2005. The Solist series follows three core principles: single cask, cask strength, and non-chill filtered, aiming to present each cask’s unique character as directly as possible.

The Solist Brandy expression is matured in casks that previously held Brandy, imparting rich dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, wood and spice, while blending with Kavalan’s characteristic tropical fruit notes to create a deep and balanced flavour profile.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep golden amber to amber, bright and clear, typical of Brandy-cask maturation.
Nose: Rich dark caramelised nuts, raisins and dried apricot, caramel buttercream, rancio and smoked wood, with a background of spice and cocoa.
Palate: The first impression is of intense dried fruit, caramel butter and vanilla sweetness, followed by spice, cocoa, coffee, roasted almonds and subtle woody spice. The body is round and full, with noticeable cask-strength depth but without being overly aggressive.
Finish: A medium-long finish with dried fruit, cocoa, coffee, spice, wood and a gentle warm smoke, clean and warmly rounded.

Reviews and Recognition
Tastings.com awarded this 55.6% bottling 98 points and a Platinum Medal, naming it “2025 Best Whisky” and “2025 Best Taiwanese Whisky”. The review describes copper colour, umami-rich dark caramelised nuts, raisins and mushrooms, caramel buttercream, rancio and BBQ-spiced wood, with a round, vibrant, fruity-fat body and a warming, thought-provoking, very long finish carrying spice cake, dark chocolate toffee, cedar cigar box and cherry-cigar notes.

Tastings.com further describes this as an incredibly rich single malt whisky with dense layers of dark brandied fruit and umami flavours, advising to take time when enjoying it.

Special Information
This is a single-cask, cask-strength bottling; ABV may vary slightly between casks (the Solist series is generally listed between 50–59.9%).
Cask No. Y160601009A identifies a specific Brandy cask, with only a very limited number of bottles available, enhancing its collectibility and suitability for sharing on special occasions.
As a single-cask, non-chill filtered expression, the flavour is highly distinctive and best appreciated as a collector’s item, a tasting experience, or a gift for whisky enthusiasts.

Origin: Taiwan
Category: Whisky
Style: Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky – Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength
ABV: 55.6%
Volume: 700ml
Cask type: Brandy cask
Bottling: non-chill filtered, natural colour, single cask strength