Kavalan Distillery has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky in Yilan County, Taiwan since 2005. Kavalan sources the mineral-rich meltwaters of Snow Mountain and is aged in a unique combination of intense heat and humidity together with sea and mountain breezes. All this combines to create the quality, smoothness, and fruity character for which Kavalan is known.
Kavalan takes Yilan County’s old name. A land of blessings, it was here that entrepreneur Mr. Tien-Tsai Lee dreamed of a new whisky homeland and a ‘century-old’ distillery to last generations.
Mr. T.T. Lee’s ambition to create Taiwan’s first whisky took him across the old world to the sacred distilleries of Scotland and Japan. He knew to compete, Taiwan must be world-class, and this tested every sinew of his resolve.
Kavalan brings together a highly skilled R&D team which takes on the legacy of renowned whisky specialist, the late Dr. Jim Swan. It is backed by King Car Group and its more than 40 years of beverage experience and knowledge.
The Whiskyphiles tasting notes
Official bottling
Kavalan Classic Single Malt (2018) – Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky Review: Very pleasant but rather light in places, fades as an experience, i.e. nose>palate>finish, still a great base whisky with which Kavalan have done wonders with. 82/100
Kavalan Concertmaster (2015) – Kavalan Concertmaster ~ 40% (King Car Group) Taiwanese single malt whisky 40% ABV, £55 for 70cl Score: 85/100 What they say: Kavalan Concertmaster Single Malt Whisky Using Portuguese ruby, tawny and vintage Port wine casks as the main flavour, Kavalan Concertmaster single malt whisky is the first matured in specially selected American oak cask and […]
Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak (2021) – Very polished and smooth, Highland toffee, buttery caramel and creamy vanilla, some fruit and woody notes make this one a very easy drinker. 85/100
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique (2014) – Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique ~ 57.7% (King Car Group) 57.7% ABV, ~£100 Score: 86/100 What they say [http://www.kavalanwhisky.com/en/examine/10.asp]: Vinho is fully matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and recharred in a way that brings out fruity vanilla notes from the whisky and wood overlaid on a delicate background of complex […]
The Whiskyphiles 