Kavalan Celebrates Taiwan's First Decade of Single Malt Whisky

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec. 8, 2016 /CNW/ -- Double World Whiskies Awards (WWA) winner Kavalan yesterday celebrated 10 years of Taiwan-made whisky - with the commissioning of its Second Distillery and the launch of an inaugural rum cask-aged whisky for Christmas.

At the inauguration of the Kavalan Second Distillery, CEO Mr. Y.T. Lee said that on March 11, 2006, Kavalan's first ever "new make" left the spout at the spirit safe, forever turning his dream of Taiwanese whisky into reality.

"Before 2006, all this was nothing more than a pipe dream. Yet 10 years later, we have enough demand for Kavalan that we're celebrating a doubling in our capacity to 10 million bottles with our Second Distillery," Mr. Lee said.

The increase could make Kavalan one of the 10 biggest whisky distillers in the world.

At the event, global whisky leaders such as International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) outgoing managing director, Mr. Ewan Lacey, said Kavalan's 10 year journey had contributed to a "broadening of the world of whisky both in terms of creating a new frontier and a new philosophy."

He added there had been a "deepening and enrichment in the new and unique styles of whisky which continues to benefit whisky lovers across the globe."

Other special guests were Kavalan's Chief Consultant, Dr. Jim Swan; Whisky Magazine Founder Damian Riley-Smith; and Mr. Richard Forsyth of world class stills maker Forsyths, and his son, Richard Forsyth.

Kavalan's new Reserve Rum Cask Single Cask Strength, saturated with notes of melon and papaya, clove, and root ginger, was described by Whisky Master Ingvar Ronde, who is editor and founder of the Malt Whisky Yearbook, as: "Delicate rum, sweetness with notes of guava, pineapple and chocolate covered almonds."

Spirits educator Bernhard Schäfer said: "A complex bouquet of tropical fruits -- Sweet and sugary finish."

Mr. Riley-Smith, whose Whisky Magazine runs the prestigious WWA and Icons of Whisky awards programmes said: "Kavalan burst on to the world whisky scene in 2006 and since then has triumphed in the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky each and every year."

In 2015, Kavalan collected the WWA's "World's Best Single Malt Whisky for its Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique and in 2016, the WWA's "World's Best Single Cask Single Malt Whisky" for the Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength as well as clinching the IWSC's "Worldwide Whiskey Producer of the Year."

About Kavalan

Taiwan's first whisky distillery has been dedicated to the art of single malt whisky since 2006. Kavalan is aged in intense humidity and heat yet benefits from sea and mountain breezes and the spring water from Snow Mountain, which combine to create Kavalan's signature creaminess. The distillery takes its name from the indigenous name for Yilan County, where it is based, and is backed by 30 years of beverage-making under parent company, King Car Group. It has collected more than 211 gold awards and is available in 40 countries. Visit www.kavalanwhisky.com/en/.

Media Contact:

Yvonne Chou
[phone] #7162
[e-mail]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161208/446973

SOURCE Kavalan