Kavalan Classic Single Malt

My inaugural Taiwanese whiskey. I anticipated it would resemble Japanese whiskey, and while parallels exist, this one presents unique characteristics. It's worth noting this is bottled at 43% ABV, not the 40% indicated on the website. Nose: Sweet. Vanilla, honey, caramel candy. Hints of unripe banana and mango. A touch of pineapple. Some of the syrupy and brown sugar notes I've encountered in Nikka's Coffee Malt, and even more so in the Coffee Grain. Sandalwood and some macadamia nut, complemented by green, grassy, and woody elements. An auspicious beginning. Palate: Banana right away, and this time it's ripe. It's joined by coconut, pineapple, and mango. A veritable tropical fruit medley. Chewy caramel and perhaps a whisper of fudge. Some almond and macadamia. Caramel candy, vanilla, and honey. It carries many attributes from the nose but is a bit riper, adds some deeper sweet notes, and a bit of cinnamon and baking spice. Oak is present too. Solid. Finish: Another wave of pineapple, mango, and coconut, followed by cinnamon, baking spice, and oak. A pleasant warming sensation carries this to a medium-duration finish. Not quite on par with the nose or palate, but still enjoyable. I suspect the slight ABV increase significantly contributes here. Conclusion? Taiwan makes a favorable initial impression. I'm aware Kavalan isn't the sole native distillery, but to claim it produces over half of Taiwan's distinctive offerings would be an exaggeration. Without question, my subsequent Taiwanese whiskey will be a Kavalan product, and given that this appears to be their entry-level offering, I'm eager to discover the distillery's other creations. 4 stars precisely for this one. The nose draws notable parallels to Nikka's Coffee range, but the palate truly distinguishes this and provides me a benchmark for an exciting new whiskey category. Anticipating my next Kavalan bottling.

The aroma is rich and smoky, with some fruit and a touch of peat. The palate is substantial, offering plenty of rich fruit balanced by robust smoke. It's quite potent for its ABV, and I appreciate that it delivers flavor without relying on high alcohol. The fruit is mainly dark cherry but also includes many pleasant tropical notes. It's an excellent sipper, tasting like it's around 15 years old, which is quite impressive. The fruity notes also feature orange blossoms that harmonize well with vanilla and floral flavors. I'd be keen to try an older version. While very fruity, it's also mature and free of off-flavors. It could benefit from a bit more intensity, but it holds its own against Highland Park The Dark, though it's less complex. The clean finish is delightful, with a distinct cherry presence. It brings to mind both Macallan 12 and Highland Park The Dark; it significantly surpasses the Macallan but falls short of the Highland Park. The tropical notes are reminiscent of Rampur, but this is much superior. At $60, it might be a bit expensive, but it's within a reasonable price range for this whiskey.

Revisiting this bottle after months away. On the nose: Sugary notes like caramelizing sugar when you get home, dried mango, and vanilla. On the palate: Strong caramel/brown sugar (evoking wheated bourbon caramel notes), significant oak influence (due to aging in Taiwan's semi-tropical climate, a major barrel effect), with vanilla and mango and pineapple in the background. It's well-made, but I wish it had more depth. It's distinctive and makes me curious about Kavalan's higher-end selections, but I don't find this one particularly special. It would be a fantastic entry-level single malt if not for the price.

Nose: Aromatic, like a perfume. I can't detect those tropical fruits. Vanilla sweetness in the background. Palate: Sweetness for a few moments, then sharp spices, bitterness, oakiness. Finish: Long, tart, sharp, dry. Sharp even in the throat. With water: Less floral and nutty notes on the nose. Less aggressive on the palate. Overall too sharp for my preference, particularly on the palate. Significant oak presence. The palate doesn't align with the nose for me. I can see others appreciating this expression more, but it was an unsuitable selection for me. Still, it's part of the journey, so it's acceptable.

Nose after about a 10-minute rest: Caramel, orange, and spice are most prominent initially. Darker fruits like black cherry and butter, figgy raisin, almond, vanilla, butterscotch, strawberry, honey, ginger are also present. Taste: starts with medium caramel, a hint of salt before moving to vanilla and fruit. The fruit notes include black cherry, then strawberry, fig, and finally black cherry again. Some astringency in the taste, with a darker, more aged finish rather than the sharp, bright finish found in younger pours. Moderate finish.

A sophisticated Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky from Kavalan King Car Distillery in Yilan County, Taiwan. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of tropical flowers, tropical fruits, and subtle hints of vanilla; its full and creamy character adds notes of spicy barley, oak, and fruits; leading to a moderately long, zesty finish with notes of allspice, pear skin, mango, meat, and more vanilla. June 2020 / July 2022