Kavalan, Single Malt whisky from Taïwan
100% TAIWAN • SINGLE MALT WHISKY
  1. 2002
  2. 2005
  3. 2006
  4. 2008
  5. 2009
  6. 2013
  7. 2014
  8. 2015
  9. 2016
  10. 2017

  1. Mr. Lee, a passionate whisky enthusiast and an accomplished entrepreneur at the head of the King Car Group, decides to build the first taiwanes distillery.

  2. The construction of Kavalan distillery begins.

  3. Kavalan distillery opens its doors and at 3.30 pm on 11 March 2006 the first drop of new make spirit emerges from the stills.

  4. The distillery’s first whisky, Kavalan Single Malt, is released for sale, three years after the distillery’s launch.

  5. The distillery’s second whisky, Kavalan Concertmaster, is released for sale. Numerous editions follow, and are awarded prizes at the top international competitions.

  6. La Maison du Whisky markets the first bottle of Kavalan whisky in France.

  7. Kavalan sells over 10,000 bottles in Europe in a single year!

  8. Kavalan Solist Vinho Single Malt is named the best single malt in the world at the World Whiskies Awards.

  9. Kavalan Amontillado is named the best single cask in the world at the World Whiskies Awards.

  10. The Kavalan Distillery is expanding to be on a par with the largest whisky distilleries of the world. In 2017, they will double the number of stills from 5 to 10 pairs to reach a production capacity of 9 million litres of pure alcohol. A second warehouse is being built to hold 70,000 casks, which will join the 60,000 casks currently aging in the unique Taiwanese climate. Mr. Lee’s dream is becoming a reality!

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THE FIRST TAIWANESE DISTILLERY

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NAMED KAVALAN IN CELEBRATION OF AN ANCIENT LOCAL TRIBE REPUTED FOR ITS AGRICULTURE, THE DISTILLERY FINDS AN EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

In 2006 Taiwan joined the world of whisky distillers.

Created by the King Car Group, Taiwan’s first distillery opened its doors in the north-east of Taiwan in the province of Yi-Lan, and endeavoured to produce whisky of inimitable style by calling upon the industry’s foremost experts.

The fruity, floral, fresh and subtly spicy profile of the Kavalan single malt is due to the use of unpeated malted barley imported from Scotland, along with a particularly precise heart of distillation. Ian Chang, the distillery’s master blender, captures what is purest in the distillate and draws from it the flavours that make Kavalan a great signature, between richness and elegance.

THE PERFECT LOCATION

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THE SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE OF TAIWAN IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A FACTOR OF ITS EXCELLENCE FROM WHICH KAVALAN DRAWS ITS UNIQUE CHARACTER.

Located in the north-east of Taiwan in a microclimate, the province of Yi-Lan offers contrasting landscapes, between green mountains and fertile plains. Protected by the Snow Mountains which culminate at a height of 3886 metres and influenced by the misty wind from the Pacific, the Kavalan distillery’s location is the perfect spot for whisky ageing.

A SINGLE MALT AGED IN EXTRAORDINARY CONDITIONS

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KAVALAN OPTIMISES MATURATION TO ENSURES THAT IT CREATES A UNIQUE WHISKY IN THE SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE THAT IS SPECIFIC TO TAIWAN.

Directly influenced by the heat and humidity that is inherent to the island’s climate, many months of experimentation were required to control the interaction between alcohol and wood. In order to prevent any excessive heat, the Kavalan distillery has built a huge concrete cellar with a ventilation system that controls the ambient temperature on all 5 floors.

THE CHOICE OF BARRELS IS A CRUCIAL STAGE OF THE WHISKY MATURATION PROCESS.

The casks chosen are of top quality and come from a variety of sources: sherry, bourbon, wines, port and brandy.

The accent is on sherry casks, originating from Jerez with the 6 typical expressions used for ageing : Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez, Amontillado, Manzanilla, Moscatel and the most prestigious, Fino.

DRIVEN BY PASSION

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THE KAVALAN ADVENTURE IS PUNCTUATED WITH MEETINGS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED ITS FATE. THE MEETINGS OF SEVERAL MEN OF INTERNATIONAL FAME.

MR LEE

Firstly, Mr. Lee, whose wildest dream was to create Taiwan’s first single malt. An experienced entrepreneur at the head of the King Car Group, his quest for perfection made possible the construction of the distillery and then the creation of the first Taiwanese whisky.

DR JIM SWAN

Kavalan is also the result of an important collaboration with Dr. Jim Swan, whisky consultant, who was able to put his expertise in ageing at the distillery’s service.

IAN CHANG

Finally, the master blender, Ian Chang, born in Taiwan but with his heart rooted in Scotland, has contributed his knowledge of Scotch whisky to build Kavalan into a great brand.

DID YOU KNOW?

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1 | Taiwan is the world’s fifth largest consumer of single malt whiskies.

2 | The town of Yi-Lan is also known by the name of “water town”. The water here is the purest water in Taiwan, and is drawn from a source in the peaks of the Snow Mountains. It runs down to the heart of the Yi-Lan plains and supplies the distillery directly. Lots of Taiwanese also come here to rest and relax because the air is said to be the coolest and healthiest on the island.

3 | After two years of maturing, Kavalan whisky behaves like a 10 years old Scotch malt whisky. Due to the subtropical climate on the island the angels’ share amounts to 13% when, at the same age, whisky in Scotland loses only 2%.

DID YOU KNOW?

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Taiwan is the world's…

Taiwan is the world’s fifth largest consumer of single malt whiskies.

The town of Yi-Lan is also known by...

The town of Yi-Lan is also known by the name of “water town”. The water here is the purest water in Taiwan, and is drawn from a source in the peaks of the Snow Mountains. It runs down to the heart of the Yi-Lan plains and supplies the distillery directly. Lots of Taiwanese also come here to rest and relax because the air is said to be the coolest and healthiest on the island.

After two years of maturing...

After two years of maturing, Kavalan whisky behaves like a 10 years old Scotch malt whisky. Due to the subtropical climate on the island the angels’ share amounts to 13% when, at the same age, whisky in Scotland loses only 2%.

KAVALAN, 100% Taïwan