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Kavalan (Kavalan) – Taiwanese whiskey with a bright taste of tropical fruits. Despite the hot climate, the manufacturer manages to create premium drinks that have earned praise from world-famous experts. The brand belongs to the King Car company, which produces coffee and national delicacies.
History of the brand
Kavalan Distillery is the only family distillery in Taiwan. The enterprise was built by Tian Cai Li, the head of King Car. The businessman wanted to produce whiskey all his life, but the dream was realized only in 2005 after the state entered the WTO. Kavalan is the ancient name of Yilan County in the northeast of the country. The first products left the assembly line of the plant in 2008, and a couple of years later the brand made a splash at a blind tasting in Scotland, where it was ahead of well-known brands.
Production features
Whiskey is made according to the classical technology, adjusted for the peculiarities of the climate. Water plays a significant role – it is brought from the Taiwanese mountains, where the purest natural springs flow. Barley comes to the enterprise already malted, among the partners of the company are large malt producers from the UK. The company’s many years of experience in the coffee business helps to grind the grain correctly.
Two types of yeast are added to the wort. Cultures brought from France are responsible for the strength of the drink, microorganisms from South Africa give the whiskey a rich fruity aroma. After double distillation, highly purified alcohols are obtained with a minimum of harmful impurities. The composition is controlled by laboratory tests.
Whiskey matures in American oak barrels, the minimum period is two years. The company’s specialists visit the leading wineries in Europe in search of the best samples of oak containers for bourbon, port wine and various types of Spanish sherry. Wood impregnated with wine gives drinks rich flavors, including chocolate, caramel, vanilla and coconut.
One of the main difficulties of the production process is the high air temperature. The company got out of the situation in an original way. On the lower floors of the warehouse, small kegs are stored, designed for 200 liters. In the upper part of the building there are tanks with a volume of up to 500 liters. Thus, approximately the same exposure conditions are created.
Awards
World Whiskey Awards 2015, 2016, London – gold medals and victory in the nomination “Best Whiskey in the World” 2 years in a row;
International Spirits Challenge 2017, London – 4 gold medals;
San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2018 – Best in Class and 9 gold awards.
Interesting Facts
- Jim Murray compared Kavalan to the best examples of Scotch whiskey from the Speyside region. A world-famous expert advised the management of the distillery to supplement the product line with single-barrel types of whiskey after tasting in the company’s warehouses. Prior to this, the company was limited to the production of drinks with a maximum strength of 40%.
- Kavalan has been named Man of the Year six times at the IWSC competition held annually in London. It is the only company outside the UK to have so many awards.
Types of whiskey Kavalan
Kavalan Single Malt, 40%
Whiskey color of light amber with a mild aroma, which mixes the smells of freshly baked bread, barberries and barley sugar. On the palate there are malt, citrus and spicy notes. The aftertaste is of medium duration with hints of chocolate and nuts. The fortress is almost not felt.
Kavalan King Car, 46%
A limited edition whiskey named after the company. A rich amber-colored drink with a rich aroma of papaya, banana and coconut. Tropical fruits move into the palate, where sweetness of vanilla and slight nutty bitterness are added to them. The finish is quite long with hints of wood and caramel.
Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask, 57,8%
Cask-strength single malt whiskey is aged in toasted oak bourbon vats. The aroma is warm, without excessive alcohol content, tropical fruits, coconut milk and vanilla predominate. The taste is rich with shades of dried fruits: raisins, prunes and dried apricots, which are mixed with nuts and wood. The aftertaste is long, with hints of hot spices.
Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask, 59,4%
Single barrel whiskey dark amber color matures in oak containers from Oloroso sherry. The aroma notes caramel, figs and nutmeg, which emphasize the freshness of citrus fruits. The multifaceted taste includes prunes, raisins, nuts, marzipan and vanilla. The finish is mineral with hints of oak.
