Kavalan
Single malt from Taiwan, where the whisky matures quickly in the warm climate. Fruity, sweet and tropical. Everything about the distillery, the bottles, the flavour and the right glass to drink it from.
Whisky from a subtropical climate
Kavalan is a single malt whisky from Taiwan. The distillery is located in Yilan County, in the northeast of the island, between the mountains and the sea. It belongs to King Car, a Taiwanese company that also makes soft drinks and coffee. The first spirit came off the stills in 2006. Kavalan is the old name for the Yilan region and for the people who originally lived there.
The major difference from Scotland is the climate. In Yilan, it is warm and humid, so the whisky reacts with the wood of the cask much faster. As a result, Kavalan reaches a maturity in a few years that takes much longer in Scotland, but more whisky also evaporates from the casks. That is why the label usually does not state an age. The style is fruity and sweet, without peat smoke, with strong influences from wine and sherry casks.
Kavalan put Taiwan on the map as a whisky-producing country, following Japan's example. Read more about Japanese whisky or the overview of whisky.
In brief
What types of Kavalan are there?
Kavalan has a core range at 40% and the Solist series: whisky from a single cask, bottled undiluted at cask strength. These are the bottles sold by Gall & Gall.
Kavalan Classic
The house's core whisky, matured in multiple cask types. Coconut, pear, vanilla and a hint of chocolate.
Kavalan Concertmaster
First matured in American oak, then finished in port casks. Red fruit, raisins, vanilla and cinnamon.
Kavalan Distillery Select No.1
Matured in various cask types, with a large proportion of sherry casks. Smooth and fresh, with apple, pear and vanilla.
Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask
A blend of whisky from oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and moscatel casks. Layered, with dried fruit, toffee and a light freshness.
Kavalan Solist Fino
From a single cask that previously held fino sherry, bottled at cask strength. Toffee, fruit and dry, woody notes.
Kavalan Solist Amontillado
Single cask matured in Amontillado sherry casks, non-chill filtered. Rich, fruity and tropical, in a limited release.
Start with the Classic. If you like red fruit and sweetness, choose the Concertmaster.
Tropical fruit, vanilla and sweet oak
Fruit & flowers
Mango, pear, coconut and vanilla, sometimes with a floral note. The port and sherry casks add red fruit, raisins and spices.
Round and sweet
Creamy, with honey, toffee and tropical fruit. Due to the rapid maturation, you taste a lot of oak, but it remains smooth. The Solist bottles are oily and powerful.
Medium-length and warm
Sweet, with vanilla, oak and mild spices such as cinnamon. No smoke.
Flavour profile of Kavalan Classic. The Concertmaster is fruitier, while the Solist bottles are much more powerful.
Three ways to drink Kavalan
Kavalan is usually enjoyed neat. The Classic and Distillery Select are also delicious over ice or in a highball. Dilute the Solist bottles with water to taste.
Neat
Pour 30 ml into a tulip-shaped tasting glass and let it sit for a moment. For the cask-strength Solist bottles, add a few drops of water: this opens up the fruit and tempers the alcohol.
Glass: tasting glass →On the rocks
A large ice cube in a tumbler with the Classic or Distillery Select. The fruit remains prominent, and the whisky becomes fresh and smooth.
Glass: tumbler →Highball
A tall glass filled with ice, 50 ml Kavalan Classic and chilled soda. Like in Japan, but with a tropical, fruity character.
Go to the recipe →Cocktails with Kavalan
Kavalan is not a typical cocktail whisky, but the Classic and Distillery Select give simple classics a fruity twist.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, sugar and bitters. With Kavalan Concertmaster, you get red fruit and vanilla in the glass.
Hot Toddy
Hot water, honey, lemon and whisky. The tropical notes of the Classic pair well with honey.
Penicillin
Lemon, honey and ginger. Usually made with Scotch; with Kavalan, it is fruitier.
Whisky cocktails
All whisky cocktails in one place, from Whiskey Sour to Rusty Nail.The right glass for Kavalan
A tulip-shaped tasting glass concentrates Kavalan's fruit and vanilla aromas. For ice, choose a heavy tumbler. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Kavalan
Is your question not listed? Read more about whisky from Asia or browse our whisky cocktails.
To Japanese whisky →What is the alcohol percentage in Kavalan?
Where does Kavalan whisky come from?
Why doesn't Kavalan have an age statement on the bottle?
Is Kavalan Japanese whisky?
What does Solist mean at Kavalan?
Which glass do you use for Kavalan?
Buy Kavalan
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Kavalan online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 8 in stock.
Prices as of October 8, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can find the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.