As Kavalan Single Malt Whisky celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2016 and making plans to expand its distilling capacity by breaking ground on a second distillery, the distillery located in Taiwan’s Yilan County now introduces a range of whiskies that explore the array of sherry styles plus port and their impact on maturation in Taiwan’s sub-tropical climate. Already winning awards ...
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Noted Whisky Consultant Dr. Jim Swan Dies, Age 75
By Richard Thomas Dr. Jim Swan, the noted whisky expert who was best known for his handiwork in advising several new whisky distilleries around the glove, passed away suddenly yesterday in his home in Edinburgh. He was 75. Swan, who held a PhD in Chemistry and Biological Studies from Heriot-Watt University, began his career with a ten year stint as chief ...
Read More »Top Picks For 2014
By Richard Thomas Although The Whiskey Reviewer does not give out formal awards (yet), we do round-up each year with an informal set of whiskey picks. Each staff member is allowed to chose one whiskey in two categories, Best New Whiskey and Best Whiskey To Pass My Lips, the latter representing whatever the best dram that person had during the ...
Read More »Kavalan Concertmaster Whisky Review
By Jake Emen Rating: B- Kavalan Concertmaster Single Malt Whisky is finished utilizing several different varieties of Port casks, including Ruby Port, Tawny Port and Vintage Port, that being the “concert.” First though, Concertmaster is aged in American oak casks. It’s yet another unique cask and aging process from Kavalan. While the port-finish has become a feature of whiskey-making around ...
Read More »Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Whisky Review
By Jake Emen Rating: B+ The cask is always key with Kavalan, and with each separae offering of their range which we sample, we find ourselves with a new cask experiment of sorts. Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique utilizes American oak — no, not bourbon barrels — but American oak wine barrels, with a very unique and specific background and process. ...
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