May 27th, 2011

Review: Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Cask Strength

John Hansell

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Cask Strength, 59.2%, €70

Kavalan is Taiwanese whisky from the King Car Company, and the progress its whiskeys are making is truly remarkable. With humidity roughly the same as Speyside — high — but the temperature more than 20° Fahrenheit  higher, maturation is on fast forward. This is just 4 years old, but it’s a monster mix of kumquat liqueur, tropical fruit, blackcurrant, and strawberry and cream candy. Later on some eastern spices, especially turmeric, bring it all back home. Remarkable.     
–Dominic Roskrow

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 92

Category: New Releases,Reviews,Taiwan whisky,Writers Tags: 11 Comments

November 11th, 2010

Guest Review: World Whisky – Taiwan

John Hansell

Kavalan single malt, 40%, $65
When the news arrived that a distillery was being built in Taiwan, the whisky world pretty much dismissed it. When Kavalan appeared at a precocious 42 months, it sat up and took notice. Owned by food and beverage conglomerate King Car, Kavalan started producing in 2006 with blender Ian Chang at the helm — and a hotline to consultant Dr. Jim Swan. Taiwan’s tropical climate pushes the maturation cycle along at a ferocious rate, but the key here is its complexity. Maybe it’s auto-suggestion, but I could swear there’s ginseng in here, as well as honeycomb and black cherry pie filling. Fresh and clean, the spirit is rich and accompanied with great wood.  Mature whisky in three years? It’s an accountant’s dream! (Dave Broom)

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 90

Kavalan Port Cask finish, 40%, $65 (approx)
Here Jim Swan has taken the bold step of double maturing an already quick maturing spirit, but it works. Blueberries and rich oak are to the fore, while Kavalan’s cherry accents act as the link between spirit and Port. Think rosehips and crème de mures. Thick and liquorous. (Dave Broom)

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 90

Category: Guest Blogger,Reviews,Uncategorized Tags: 3 Comments

January 29th, 2010

Taiwan whisky: better than Scotch whisky?

John Hansell

That’s what one competition declared. It was published in the Times on Monday, and I’ve been meaning to post something up. Read the full article here.

It was a competition that took place in Edinburgh and included several three year old whiskies, including the new English whisky (from St. Georges), blended scotch, a Bruichladdich whisky, and a Taiwan whisky (Kavalan). There were a list of judges, headed by veteren whisky writer, Charles MacLean. The Taiwan whisky was the winner.

Read the article. Tell us what you think. Was it a fair competition? Was it a misleading competition? Should competitions like this even take place?

Category: competitions,Scotch whisky,Taiwan whisky,Writers Tags: , , 38 Comments



Whisky Advocate magazine is America's leading whisky magazine. It's the number one source for whisky information, education and entertainment for whisky enthusiasts.