Single Malt Whisky, Taiwan / Yilan County

In Taiwan’s hot and humid subtropical climate, temperatures inside cellars can reach as high as 42°C and the angels’ share can represent as much as 12% per year. To combat this evaporation, at the end of 2022 the Kavalan distillery opened a third concrete warehouse equipped with a ventilation system much larger than the first two cellars comprised of five floors all in all. This version’s particularly exhaustive palette of flavours and aromas ventures beyond its natural boundaries to give a stunning demonstration of just how well port cask ageing suits Kavalan.

TASTING NOTES

Nose : Voluptuous, deep. The liquorice and empyreumatic (burnt wood) first nose flirts with the world of bourbons. Allowed to breathe, beautiful oxidative notes of red and black fruit vinegar (cherry, bramble) highlight the port’s influence.

Appearance : Mahogany.

Palate : Taut, lively. Continuing on from the nose, the attack is vinous (black grape) and liquorice. An unendingly pure expression of distillate notes forms the backbone of the flavour palette. The end of the palate is like a damson plum brandy.

Overall : Long, elegant. The rancio finish (brandied cherries) develops notes of salted butter caramel and toffee. Then, completely unexpectedly, the after-taste takes on enchantingly exotic tones (mango, persimmon, guava, lychee).