By Michael Cervin Rating: B When most think of the many places whisky comes from, there’s rarely any thought of Taiwan. But Kavalan, found a scant 60 kilometers from Taipei in the northern part of the country, launched their first whiskies in the early 2000s and went on to receive several notable awards for those initial offerings. After achieving this ...

Kavalan Single Malt Whisky and U.S. importer Hotaling & Co. have announced the arrival of Kavalan Distillery Select in the U.S. for $60 SRP, 43% ABV, beginning September 2018. “Kavalan Distillery Select is matured in select malt neutral casks to showcase the fruitiness and sub-tropical characteristic of Taiwan’s climate without too much influence from the wood,” says Master Blender, Ian ...

By Kurt Maitland While traveling to Japan this year, I made a point of detouring to Taiwan to visit the Kavalan Distillery. Taiwan’s Kavalan has been making news and shaken up the whisk(e)y world since it went global in 2012. They’ve turned heads, won awards and have changed the paradigm of how one can make a good tasting whisky. I’ve ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: A- When it comes to Sherry casks and whisky, the overwhelming favorite choice is Oloroso, followed at some distance by PX. The use of Amontillado casks is much rarer, although this probably has more to do with Amontillado itself being a small part of overall Sherry production. Without writing a whole Sherry 101 essay, Amontillado lies ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: A- Anyone familiar with my body of work knows that I am a booster of the spread of whisky-making around the world, and in tandem I have developed a strong interest in the issue of non-traditional climate and maturation. When Sweden and Australia get laurels, I’m thrilled. When lesser known places in Argentina and Israel get ...