Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry is another entry in the ultra premium Solist line from Kavalan and a sherry I’m well acquainted with. Manzanilla, which is a fino (dry) sherry can be lovely flavorful stuff; it’s easy to see why distilleries tur to Manzanilla casks and why they’re a fairly common cask to see. Not as common as Oloroso, PX or Port, but maybe a close fourth.
In Kavalan’s Words: Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry
“Manzanilla is much like Fino sherry, which is produced by the sea where the climate conditions are even more suitable for the growing of flor. Though the maturing process is the same as Fino, the texture is lighter and more delicate with a touch of saltiness together with mineral flavours, which are all the consequence of the stable and thick layer of flor and the sea breeze.”
My favorite Manzanilla cask usage is in the Ardbeg Ardbog, it adds a nice delicate sweetness to it. Though this ain’t too shabby either. For the rest of the sweetly tasty details check out the Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry review below!
Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Info
Region: Taiwan
Distiller: Kavalan
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Manzanilla
Age: NAS
ABV:
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $525*
Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Review
EYE
Ruddy copper
NOSE
Concentrated golden grape juice; malt, nuts, sherry sweetness, cocoa, brown sugar, spice, brûlée, an earthy undertone and red raisins.
PALATE
Gourmet fruit leather; sherry sweetness, malt, nuts, vanilla taffy and bits of spice, caramel, brown sugar and cocoa. Wonderful flavor, just wonderful.
FINISH
Long waves of sherry, raisin heavy dark fruit, nuts and malt.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great sense of balance, full body and an oily heavy feel.
OVERALL
Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry is delightful. Yes, I wrote delightful… because it is. The layers of fruit and dark sweets play together in a way that’s alluring and all around enjoyable for all of the senses. I would love to have a magical never-ending Glencairn of this stuff tucked away somewhere.
The grapey sweetness is lovely, but the most interesting thing about the Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry is the touch of cinnamon that seems to come and go whenever it wants to. Every couple of sips I get this layer of cinnamon that rolls out and then disappears again. In general, I’m not a fan of cinnamon but here it pairs nicely with the sweetness and ends up being a note I looking forward to finding now and then.
SCORE: 90/100 (A-)
*Disclosure: This sample of Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
