Taiwan | NYC Whiskey Review

Kavalan Select

December 9, 2023 Taiwan

Name: Kavalan Select

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt blend, tropical fruits, light oak, mango

Taste: Malt, white and tropical fruits, smooth oak

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles ready!?!

Kavalan Whiskey comes from Taiwan and I have reviewed a few expressions over the last few years. They are owned by King Car Group and was founded in 2005.

The whiskey is aged in a hot and humid environment which leads to higher proof when finished and bottled. Kavalan embraces technology to maintain control over the aging processes in such a hot environment.

Kavalan Select is a light, clean and fruit forward easy drinking whiskey. It is bottled at 43% abv. It is non aged stated, but by local law it is aged for a minimum of 2 years and tastes like it is aged in oak barrels. It has a good balance and like all other Kavalan expressions is well made but it is not that impressive. The tropical notes as very nice and not too sweet but this is clearly a entry level mass market expression.

I do not drink Kavalan frequently for a couple of reasons. One, the price, it is usually very high. Two, I am not that too into the tropical tastes. I have the same issues with some Paul John expressions.

Priced around $50 and worth the money if you like the flavor profile but it is very basic compared to their other expressions.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Kavalan Classic Single Malt (NAS)

January 26, 2021 Taiwan

Name: Kavalan Classic Single Malt (NAS)

Color: Dark gold

Nose: Cherry, dark fruits, mango

Taste: Fruit sweetness, clean, spices, light oak

Review:

I was invited to the Astor Center in NYC to sample five (5) of Kavalan Sherry Finished whiskies at a tasting hosted by Ian Chang who is the master blender for Kavalan. If you are new to the whiskey world you might be surprised to learn that Taiwan is in the whiskey business. I was surprised when I first learned about various countries that produce whisky that are not historically known to bottle the spirit. E.g. South Africa, India, France, Germany, Sweden, Wales, Taiwan, and many more. These non-traditional whisky countries are making some great stuff. Check out my reviews per region for more information.

Originating from Taiwan, Kavalan whiskey is created in a hot and humid environment which leads to higher proof when finished and bottled. The whiskey spends a minimum of 4 years in the barrel(regular) and 6 years for sherry finished bottles. Owned by the conglomerate King Car Group, the owner always wanted to have a distillery and in 2005 they started production. As of today, just 13 years later, they have 27 whiskeys on the market of various flavors and price.

Kavalan also shocked the whiskey world in 2010 by beating three Scotches and one English whiskey in a blind tasting at a Burns night tasting in Scotland. Step back and think about that for a moment…A non-aged whiskey, from a hot and humid climate, in a part of the world not known to produce whiskey, at a Robbie Burns tasting in Scotland won against three scotches. That is something between amazing and bat shit crazy when you think about it. “And the winner is Kavalan….” I can imagine look on the Scotsman’s faces that night.

Kavalan is a very impressive whisky and reminded me for a moment of bourbon because of the higher proof, but they have created a style all their own and it is wonderful. I recommend you try Kavalan if you get a chance and you can be the judge. Prices range from $80 to $500 depending on the type of bottle.

Priced around $85 and is a great value and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Kavalan Concert Master Single Malt

June 25, 2020 Taiwan

Name: Kavalan Concert Master Single Malt

Color: Ruby

Nose: Vanilla, clove, red grape port

Taste: Port, dark fruit, vanilla

Review:

This is not a multiple whisky-drinking bottle to enjoy with friends out at a bar in Midtown. I could not even see myself this summer by the beach drinking this whisky, this is an after dinner drink whisky. It is a very nice, decent balance, strong, and very sweet. It is a “one and done” dram, I could not imagine having two glasses in a row of this whisky. The sweetness of Concert Master Port Finish Single Malt is in the name with “Port Finish”. Port barrels used in the whisky are three different types and there is one American oak barrel used to mature the spirit in the warehouse. The use of Ruby, Tawney and Vintage ports gives the dark ruby color and strong port flavor which leads to the sweetness.

A quick 101 about Port:

Port: Fortified wine that comes from the Douro Valley in Northern Portugal.

Ruby: Aka the cheap port.

Tawney: Red grapes, sweetness to medium dry style port. Considered mainly for dessert wine.

Vintage: Port from grapes declared vintage year by the port house. Accounts for 2% of total production.

I really enjoy the whisky’s Kavalan is producing, but this particular whisky has been specifically designed to be a dessert wine-esq whiskey. If you are a whisky person and like port, this would make a better dessert than the chocolate cake.

Price around $100 it is a fair value if you like the taste of port in your whisky.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Kavalan Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

October 3, 2019 Taiwan

Name: Kavalan Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

Color: Brown

Nose: Sweet, strong alcohol, dry fruits

Taste: Dry fruits, spices, tobacco, coffee, and burn finish

Review:

Kavalan Sherry Cask Single Malt is full bodied, beefy type whisky with just enough sweetness to round it out. It has a strong “in your face taste” that would make for a good pre-steak dinner drink or relaxing with a cigar. The whisky is not too heavy with wood or peat so you would be able to enjoy the smoke from your cigar, but please, do not smoke a cheap stick.

Kavalan Sherry Cask is similar to other cask strength whisky’s; you will want to cut it with some water or ice to open it up. At 57.1% abv (114.2 proof) it is a big hit on the palate. I am not huge fan of cask strength whisky’s. I find that they sometimes go straight to my head so I always cut it with ice. It can be annoying sometimes that I have to continue blending the whisky in my glass, but when the whisky is good I do not complain. So, add some water or ice to lighten the load on your palate. If you opted for ice, use the small 1“x1″ cubes to start and add more if needed.

With many types of whiskies from many countries you may be in a situation here in NYC where you need to stand out among your co-drinkers or on a date. I would recommend you order Kavalan. When people ask you what you ordered you can Steve McQueen the response, “Single malt from Taiwan” and leave it at that. Sit back and watch everyone be impressed.

Priced around $200 and rising. It might be hard to fine but it is very good.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

Kavalan Select

Kavalan Classic Single Malt (NAS)

Kavalan Concert Master Single Malt

Kavalan Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

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