Kavalan Whiskey

Founded in 2005, Kavalan, the first whisky distillery built in Taiwan, caused an international incident in the world of whisky when it beat traditional Scottish brands at a blind tasting held on Burns Night in 2010. Even the likes of renowned whisky expert Jim Murray named one of Kavalan’s whiskies “Best New World Whisky” in his 2012 edition of The Whisky Bible. So it is with great excitement and anticipation that Anchor Distilling Company announces the launch of Kavalan in the U.S., with bottles of all seven expressions arriving on shelves April 25th, 2014: Kavalan Classic, Kavalan Concertmaster, Kavalan King Car Conductor, Kavalan Fino Sherry Cask, Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Cask, Kavalan Sherry Cask and Kavalan Vinho Barrique.

Kavalan, which means “flatland people,” is named after the Taiwanese aboriginal ethnic group that originally inhabited modern-day Yilan County, where the Kavalan distillery resides. The warm sub-tropical climate of Taiwan ensures the whiskies mature faster than their Scottish, American and Japanese counterparts. Yilan was selected for its abundant supply of cold spring water flowing through the Central and Snow Mountain ranges and for its proximity to the Pacific Ocean resulting in ocean mists and mountain winds circulating around each cask. Master Blender Ian Chang and Dr. Jim Swan, an international whisky expert and consultant to Kavalan, have quickly established a reputation for their innovative incorporation of various types of wood casks. Accounting for the tastes of Taiwanese drinkers, Kavalan whiskies boast fruitier flavor profiles, thanks to modifications such as stainless steel fermentation tanks, oil-based fuel instead of peat, and ex-sherry, port and bourbon barrels for aging; all Kavalan whiskies are cask strength, non-chill filtered and natural in color.

“The world of whisk(e)y is evolving quickly and we at Anchor are extremely honored and excited to bring arguably the most interesting range of whiskies to discerning American consumers,” says Anchor Distilling Company President David King. “The Kavalan range of whiskies is truly world class and stands shoulder to shoulder with the best products out there.”