Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky

This week I am tasting the Kavalan King Car Conductor single malt whisky from Taiwan. Back in 2009, when I started collecting whisky, it was only possible to find whiskies from the more traditional whisky-making countries like Ireland, USA and Canada.

But in 2011, on one of John’s regular international trips, he suddenly stumbled across a bottle of Finnish whisky and then a bottle of Taiwanese whisky. Suddenly the flood gates opened.

There was an explosion of world whisky. It might have been that the trip opened our eyes to something that has been there all along. Regardless of the reason, I started noticing world whiskies more frequently, and my collection changed to incorporate more world whisky.

To date, I have tasted whiskies from 23 different countries. But one of the first non-traditional countries I managed to get a bottle from, was Kavalan from Taiwan.

I got my hands on a Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Strength whisky, and it blew my minds. It is probably one our my and John’s favourite whiskies of all times.

Since then, I have tasted quite a few more Kavalans. It is always one of the first stands I visit at the Whisky Show. The whisky names from the King Car distillery are all inspired by the orchestra. There is the Kavalan Solist Range of different cask finishes, the Kavalan Podium, Kavalan Concertmaster and this King Car Conductor.

Situated in Yuanshan, at the cross-boundary of the Yi-Lan mountains, the King Car distillery has been creating Taiwanese whisky since 2008. The King Car company is not new to beverages. They have been producing food and beverage since 1979. However, the distillery was only started in 2005.

The whisky is made in the Scottish whisky tradition with two copper stills imported from Scotland. However, Taiwan is a very different climate from Scotland, and the whisky matures quicker in the cask.< The angel’s share is also considerably higher, at 10% compared to around 2% in Scotland.

The Conductor expression is the first to carry the name of the King Car Group instead of Kavalan. The King Car Conductor whisky was commissioned by Mr Lee to be the top offering in the permanent range.

Also Read: Macallan 10 yo Whisky

Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky Review

King Car Conductor single malt whisky used eight additional cask types and a higher proportion of ex-Sherry casks compared to the standard single malt. The brief was to make the flavour the fullest and most rounded possible. The King Car Conductor whisky is non-chill filtered.

COUNTRY: Taiwan

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Vivid amber

NOSE: Rich and complex with notes of vanilla, ripe oranges, sweet apricots and lightly toasted oak. There are faint hints of marshmallow balanced with wood spice. After breathing a bit, there are hints of fruit jam and toffee.

PALATE: Warming and sweet with honey, vanilla, oak, fruity notes, and malt. It is complex and smooth. There is a slight alcohol bite. Hints of cinnamon and cloves warm you up from the inside, and after adding a bit of water, the alcohol softens, and more sweetness appears together with some citrus and coconut notes. Adding a bit of water opens up this dram and allow all the complexities to come out.

FINISH: This dram has the perfect finish and balances sweet honey and vanilla with the pepper spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

For a moment, I was concerned that a whisky using eight different casks is going to be a riot of unbalanced flavours. But the notes work in perfect harmony to create a beautiful symphony. This Kavalan release is a delicious dram. Not so complicated that it demands all your attention, but soothing like beautiful background music that allows you to relax.

Previously I paired the King Car Conductor whisky with some dark chocolate liqueur soaked cherries. The combination of dark chocolate and cherries made the coconut notes stand out much more, and it was a delicious pairing.

Also Read: Ardbeg Dark Cove whisky