Tag: Kavalan Distillery

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky from the Kavalan Distillery. Kavalan Distillery is a Taiwanese whisky distillery. It is owned by the King Car Group and is located at Yuanshan Township, Yilan County, Taiwan.The range include:

Kavalan Concertmaster Single Malt Whisky
King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky
Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky
Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt Whisky
Kavalan Sherry Oak Single Malt Whisky
and the Solist Series.

Kavalan Concertmaster Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/27/2018

In Single Malt whisky

World whisky time again and today I look at the Kavalan Concertmaster Port cask finish single malt whisky. Kavalan whisky is no stranger to the blog. I love their releases, and the Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask whisky will probably make my ’Best 10 whiskies to drink before you die’ list.

Kavalan has adopted a musical theme for naming its whisky. The range includes the King Car Conductor, the Podium and the Solist whisky series.

The Kavalan Concertmaster single malt whisky comes from Taiwan where the subtropical climate speeds up the maturation a bit more, compared to Scotland or Ireland. The Kavalan whisky series has no age statements due to this.

The Concertmaster whisky is first aged in American oak and then finished in several different varieties of Port barrels, including Ruby port, Tawny port and Vintage port from Portugal.

But this begs the question: What is Port and what is the difference between the Ruby, Tawny and Vintage port?

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What is Port?

Port wine is a Portuguese fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine or aperitif. It also comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties.

Ruby port is the least expensive and most extensively produced type of port. Ruby port is younger, has spent less time in the cask and has retained more of its natural colour, and sweet, fruity characteristics from the grapes.

Tawny ports are wines usually made from red grapes that are aged in wooden barrels exposing them to gradual oxidation and evaporation. Tawny port has aged longer in the cask, sometimes as long as 20 years. As it matures, more of its colour fades to a brownish, tawny colour. Also, the flavours are less sweet, and it has a deeper, more complex characteristics.

Vintage port is a port that is made of blended grapes, usually from various vineyards, which are all from the same vintage year. These ports typically spend about 6 months in oak and then go unfiltered into a bottle for further ageing for at least another 20 years or more!

Kavalan Concertmaster Whisky Review

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Rich gold with hints of red.

NOSE: It’s best feature. It is rich, sweet, complex with ripe cherries, liquorice, berry sweetness, dark chocolate and condensed milk. It promises much.

PALATE: Medium body with very little of the sweetness promised by the nose. Spicy oak, pepper, citrus, malt, with only faint hints of fruity sweetness. Water softens the spices.

FINISH: Pepper spice and dry oak

RATING: VERY GOOD

This Concertmaster Port cask finish single malt is my least favourite of all the Kavalan whiskies I have tried. I found the spiciness overwhelming. John, however, loved it. He loved the peppery bite and finished my glass too. Most weeks, our individual views on a whisky are relatively similar. This week it was not. Don’t get me wrong; this is not a bad whisky at all.

But for my palate that like sweet things, this was just to peppery. If you love peppery, spicy whisky, then this is perfect for you. If you prefer sweeter drams, instead try the Solist range that I found sweeter and softer. The Kavalan Concertmaster retails for around R1100 in SA and is readily available.

Also Read: Koval Single Barrel Bourbon

Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/27/2017

In Single Malt 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 Kava lan 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

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/23/2016

In Single Malt whisky

Time for a whisky from somewhere different. In celebration of World Whisky Day, let’s try a whisky from Taiwan. The Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique cask strength single malt whisky. On the 21^st of May, it was World Whisky Day. Dreamt up by Blair Bowman while studying at the University of Aberdeen, participants are encouraged to drink whisky on this day.

As if we need an excuse! It is a day to invite friends and neighbours over to try a few drams and celebrate the glorious ‘water of life’. It is about making whisky fun and enjoyable. Spreading the whisky word to people who have not tried it before. You should drink what you enjoy. Be it Scottish or bourbon, Irish or world whiskey – enjoy it and share it.

I have saved our last small bottle of Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique whisky for this special day. What better whisky to celebrate World Whisky Day with than a world whisky.

The King Car Group distils Kavalan. The whisky was named after the indigenous people who initially inhabited the area – the Kavalan people. Kavalan is the only dedicated single malt distillery in Taiwan. The distillery uses a similar production process as well as the same rules as Scottish whisky.

Kavalan had their stills made in Scotland, and they even have an Edinburgh-educated (Taiwanese) master blender – Ian Chang. Mr Lee, the distillery founder, is a big fan of classical music. There is a full-size concert hall at the Kavalan distillery. The Kavalan whiskies all have a musical connection.

The Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique cask strength single malt whisky was matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and charred again.

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Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Whisky Review

COUNTRY: Taiwan

ABV: 57%

COLOUR: Ruby red amber colour.

NOSE: It almost looks like burnt caramel. Initially, the nose is sweet with hints of berries, cherries, fermented grapes and slight floral notes. Some vanilla and caramel are floating around. After a while, faint hints of oak and bitter chocolate emerge.

PALATE: It an almost sweet jam-like quality, followed by an unusual spiciness which lingers around for a long time, slowly dissipating away. There are notes of oak and fruit. It’s a rich mouth-filling dram that feels luxurious on the palate. The addition of water smooths the dram and takes away some of the alcohol heat. It makes the whisky easier on the palate.

FINISH: One of the highlights of this whisky.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Solist Vinho Barrique Cask is a rich complex bold, full-bodied whisky. It has complexity and flavour notes that complimented each other. Very well balanced. Now to find myself a proper full-sized bottle! It is a bit on the expensive side, but so worth it.

In South Africa, this release retails for around R 2 300. The Vinho Barrique whisky is big and bold; it lingers forever. What a beautiful dram.

Also read: Macallan 10 yo Whisky

Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/02/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Up to about 18 months ago, Taiwanese whisky was not available in South Africa. On a business trip to London during 2013, John popped into the Whisky Exchange in London. This splendid emporium of whisky is a regular stop when we are in London. John took the opportunity to acquire a few whiskies, including the Kavalan Solist ex-bourbon cask single malt whisky.

Distilled by the King Car Group, the whisky was named after the Kavalan people. They are seen as the indigenous people of Taiwan. Legend has it that the Kavalan arrived by sea from the East.

When they saw the stunning beauty of the Island, they decided to settle in the bountiful land that later became Taiwan. Who would have thought that a country usually associated with electronics would be able to produce a drinkable whisky?

Solist is German, meaning a musician in a concert who performs a solo piece. The Solist range refers to the fact that this expression is from Kavalan’s single cask releases. The Kavalan range has a musical theme that flows through more releases, such as the ConcertMaster.

The whisky is matured in hand-selected American ex-bourbon casks. It has been awarded the Best Rest of the World Single Malt Whisky 2010 and International Spirits Challenge’s gold medal 2010.

The Kavalan Solist ex-bourbon single malt whisky is bottled at cask strength and is non-chill-filtered.

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Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Whisky Review

I have Kavalan Solist ex-bourbon cask bottle no 178 of 228 from cask no B080616020.

COUNTRY: Taiwan

ABV: 57.1%

COLOUR: Rich golden yellow.

NOSE: Deep rich sherry with some vanilla and spices. The Solist show hints of caramel sweetness and dried fruit. Adding a few drops of water allows the smoothness to come through.

PALATE: Bourbon sweetness with fresh cherries. There are nuances of dried fruit, toffee balanced perfectly with spices. The Kavalan shows bits of oak and vanilla in the background. A smooth, complex whisky that makes you want to have another glass.

FINISH: Long and lingering and hugely satisfying.

RATING: DIVINE

The first words I captured on my tasting notes for the Kavalan Solist ex-bourbon cask was “WOW”! Regardless of the high ABV, it is incredibly smooth and amazingly drinkable. You don’t need water; there is no alcohol heat.

The Solist ex-bourbon cask was my Whisky of the Year for 2013! Lately, there has been an influx of releases from this amazing distillery into SA, and I hope to add to my collection soon with a few more bottles. If you buy one bottle of whisky only this year, this is the one to get. It is so worth it.

I have also paired this special dram with some dark chocolate enrobed cherries, and it was a match made in heaven.

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