Taiwan, Yilan. Distillery operational. Owner: King Car Group.

Two extraordinary personalities are responsible for Taiwan's first independent distillery, Tien-Tsai Lee (TT Lee), founder of the King Car group and owner of Kavalan, and Dr Jim Swan, the consultant behind a huge number of the distilleries opened across the world over the last 15 years, including Penderyn (Wales), Cotswolds (England), Victoria Caledonian (Canada) and several other projects in Scotland, such as Clydeside (Glasgow) and Lindores Abbey (Cupar). It was in 2006 that Kavalan distilled its malt for the first time. Since then, the distillery has frequently caused a stir with bottlings that reflect its perfect mastery of ageing in ex-bourbon casks and Oloroso and Fino sherry casks below subtropical latitudes. Like new distilleries, Kavalan has released numerous single cask and cask strength bottlings to respond to massive demand around the world.

Aged in sherry barrels, it exudes elegant and rich aromas. Its first nose reveals dominant notes of dried fruit and nuts. After a bit of aeration, the spices, fruits, and limewood emerge. The palate has an oily feel to it. Its finish is supple and persistent with lovely notes of black coffee.