Spirit Type: Taiwanese Whisky

Country: Taiwan

ABV: 46%

Bottle size: 70cl

Description:

King Car Conductor has also been around for a while, though my first encounters with Taiwanese manufacturer Kavalan were the entry-level Single Malt and Concertmaster versions. In fact, this was the first use of the King Car moniker in a phrase (which is the parent conglomerate group that owns Kavalan).

According to reports, this single malt was created to highlight a variety of flavors in line with the aims of the parent corporation. I don't have any details about the age or composition, although it is rumored to contain a diverse mix of cask types.
It might be thought of as a step up from the 40% ABV Single Malt and Concertmaster offerings because it is bottled at a higher ABV of 46% (like Podium).

It has a highly fruity nose with notes of banana, papaya, guava, pineapple, coconut, and other tropical fruits. Before I even held the glass up to my nose, I could already smell the fruit! Lemon. Many caramels. A little vanilla But other than the sweetness of the fruit and wood, that's about all there is to it. The only genuine flaw is that it is a little bit spirity.

On the palate, it has a more honeyed flavor, although it still has vanilla and caramel flavors. Something about this reminds me of the traditional char sweetness of a bourbon barrel.

Fruits lack distinction and appear diluted (e.g., add water-logged melon and cantaloupe). Lemon promise. Black pepper and cinnamon, in particular, from the wood spices, are currently being acquired. There is more ethanol heat than one would anticipate, given the ABV. Given the ABV, the mouthfeel also looks a little watery, yet it's a little greasy (which I like). Traditional Kavalan astringency in the mouth.
It is medium in the finish. On the finish, the fruit reappears but is now drier. A little nuts. This is actually a lovely fade out, with a soft wood spice completing it (if a bit simple). In actuality, it is less astringent than the majority of beginner Kavalans.