Kavalan Vinho Barrique by Someone Say Whiskey

Kavalan Vinho Barrique 58.6%

Kavalan Distillery is the only spirits distiller in Taiwan and is also the most visited distillery in the world. They create a large variety of single malts finished in various ways. This vinho barrique selection was made by the national group Someone Say Whiskey. Check them out on facebook. Great group of helpful people doing amazing things.

Color: Deep orange mahogany.

Nose: One thing that can be noted is that this nose is very pretty. It's both potent and subdued in a sense. It has a unified aroma that's not too overbearing but when you zoom into a particular corner, you find yourself bulldozed by that particular scent. Quite interesting. At first I pick up minty honeydew and apples. As I come in closer, that very mint (and not alcohol burn) is what's masking individual scents and almost acting as a forbidding partner. With considerable coaxing, I am able to convince it to reveal deep seeded darker fruits along with smokey, sour and savory notes.
I'm picking up dark cherry, pineapple, black garlic, and wood smoke. I'm also getting some mixed cooked berries. A tiniest bit of peat whispers as I explore the glass.

Body: Medium with long skinny legs.

Palate: Citrus and cherry for you all at once. Like a spicy orange explosion. It quickly makes it's way too all corners of the mouth - activating long dormant taste buds. This in turn activates happy neurons: I feel very alive. It's sweet, sour, smokey, and bitter at the same time.

Finish: Amazing. All of it comes into play right away. A flavor explosion of sweet peat, black garlic, brown sugar, molasses, cloves, black pepper and cinnamon.
Then it fades away to nothing only to return with tannic mint, tea tree oil, and melon.
This tannic second tail stays for a while and after a few minutes, it even sweetens up a bit.

So much more I could say about this. I'm certain that every time I try it, it will evolve and every time I revisit, I will find a new story. So far, in every category, I have come across something that I like but can't quite describe it or my finger on.
Seriously amazing pick SSW.