Kavalan King Car 40th Anniversary Edition 2012/2020
To celebrate their 40th birthday the King Car Group, the owner of the Kavalan Distillery, bottled as a Single Cask Limited Edition Whisky matured in exclusive red wine casks. The bottling has no age statement.The bottle comes in a 1.5 litre size and has a cap studded with Swarovski crystals, which is shaped like a crown to emphasise the exclusivity. The whole thing is packed in a high-quality wooden box. The presentation is actually quite impressive.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The Single Malt Whisky from Taiwan opens extremely powerful and intense. Strawberries, blueberries and cinnamon are the dominant aromas. Dark grapes, blood orange and notes of marzipan follow. In the background, there is a lasting peppery note. We also perceive other spices, but are unable to classify them exactly.
Palate
Very fruity-sweet, similar to good toffee fudges, the taste spreads very voluminously in the mouth. Oily and at the same time dry, we taste delicately bitter oak, orange zest and clearly perceive the wine character of the Whisky. Here, as well, the composition is accompanied by hints of a peppery note in the background and rounds off the flavour profile.
Finish
The Taiwanese Single Malt finishes long and sweet into a very pleasant bitter oak note.
Thoughts
Marcel 89/100
A whisky that truly delights with its intense fruitiness and elegant spice – almost a celebration in a glass. The lavish presentation perfectly matches the character, even if it lacks the final polish to elevate it to absolute world-class status. For connoisseurs seeking a powerful yet charming tasting experience, this comes highly recommended.
Sascha 89/100
This limited Kavalan edition impresses with a balanced interplay between intense fruit and complex spice notes, while the maturation in red wine casks adds structure to the whisky. Despite the opulent presentation, it falls just short on depth and precision to warrant a top rating. Overall, a technically solid and harmoniously composed spirit with potential.
Value for Money: No rating
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What special characteristics does the red wine cask maturation bring to the Kavalan King Car 40th Anniversary Edition?
Maturation in exclusive red wine casks imparts pronounced fruity notes such as dark grapes and blood orange, along with a distinctive wine character that enriches the flavor profile with sweet and spicy elements.
Why does the Kavalan King Car 40th Anniversary Edition have no age statement (No Age Statement)?
The bottling deliberately omits an age statement to focus on the quality and character of the individual cask, which is highlighted through the limited single cask release.
How does the high alcohol content of 56.3% affect the taste and drinking experience of this whisky?
The high alcohol content delivers an intense and powerful aroma, enhances spicy notes like pepper, and provides a full-bodied mouthfeel. At the same time, it can be softened with a little water to release additional aromas.