Water of Life – Kavalan Concertmaster
If you have followed my previous advice and have tried Kavalan’s Solist as well as other expressions, you would not find it further wondrous that Kavalan has transcended the well-calibrated symphony its expressions create into the realm of naming them accordingly.
This time around we got a little Single Malt number that has again earned its name: Concertmaster waves its baton over an orchestra of Port casks after having matured in American oak casks. Now, following this aging process is not exactly innovative and has been tried and tested the world over.
It would not be Kavalan if they did not up the game by not only focussing on one port but using three different ones.
The outcome is not surprisingly heavy on red wine and smells borderline like sherry, the bouquet of which tickles the nostrils enriched by berries, vanilla and honey-esque nuance as well as dark chocolate, caramel and tobacco. This is one for aromatherapy.
What materializes on the palate is heavier on the tropical and tarty fruit side, oaky flavours that blend in with a naturally sweet earthiness, almonds, jam, pepper and a subtle mintyness. Texturally it is on the lighter side and the fact that there are hints of ginger and leather keeps things interesting.
The finish is dominated by the dryness Kavalan has become known for, which is accentuated by dark, fruits, mango, cinnamon and a bit of medicinal bitterness.
Despite the curiously green bottle, the rich, red tinted Concertmaster is another remarkable, approachable and more affordable testament to the masterful, symphonic blending techniques that in this case deviate a bit from the fruity and subtropical DNA of Kavalan has become known for as it resides more in darker territory.
I cannot wait to explore the rest of the Kavalan range...
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photo from company website
