Taiwanese Whisky Hits American Shores

By Richard Thomas

Founded in 2005, Kavalan, the first whisky distillery built in Taiwan, caused quite a stir in the whisky circles when it beat traditional Scottish brands at a blind tasting held on Burns Night in 2010. Even noted whisky expert Jim Murray named one of Kavalan’s producs “Best New World Whisky” in his 2012 edition of The Whisky Bible. Now a wider circle of American palates can sample Taiwanese whisky, as Anchor Distilling put seven Kavalan expressions into U.S. distribution earlier this week.

Those expressions include the Kavalan Classic, Kavalan Concertmaster, Kavalan King Car Conductor, Kavalan Fino Sherry Cask, Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Cask, Kavalan Sherry Cask and Kavalan Vinho Barrique.

Accounting for the tastes of Taiwanese drinkers, Master Blender Ian Chang and Dr. Jim Swan, an international whisky expert and consultant to Kavalan aimed at creating fruitier flavor profiles. 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.”