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Taiwan distillery wins double World Whiskies Awards

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Published
07/15/2016 by

Taiwan's premier whiskymaker Kavalan Distillery is this year celebrating its two biggest achievements, being named the "best single malt" and "best single cask, single malt" whiskies on Earth.

The prestigious World Whiskies Awards (WWA) named the Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique its 2015 "World's Best Single Malt Whisky."

This year, Kavalan was also named the WWA's "World's Best Single Cask Single Malt Whisky" for single malts drawn from one cask rather than multiple barrels for its Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength.

Kavalan owner Mr YT Lee says:

"We were incredibly humbled by this rare honour of getting two top World Whiskies Awards. Kavalan Whisky is always learning and always improving our whiskies to try to bring our customers the best in the world."

The WWA is part of the prestigious World Drinks Awards programme and considered one of two, top global whisky authorities.

Through fast maturation, Kavalan is helping to redefine quality whisky, and has earned accolades from industry judges and connoisseurs alike.

The 2015 WWA judges described Vinho as follows:

"Very sweet pruney flavours initially on the palate, with fruit cake and big clove, chilli and dry cinnamon. Walnut and hazelnut on the very dry finish. Immediately and subtly liquor rich. Tiny bit of incense, a thread of spice and smoke. 

"Caramel, marzipan, coffee-vanilla, fudge, rich, creamy, dried black fruits. Integrated and surprisingly light. Element of sandalwood. Starts creamy, waters out, almost disappears before rubbing hot brown sugar into the oesophagus. Tiny bitter trace." 

The 2016 WWA judges described Amontillado as follows: 

"Hints of raisin and coconut on the nose, but essentially what we have here is a toffee smoking a cinnamon flavoured cigar. The palate opens with a nice burst of sweet fresh fruit - guava and melon - front to mid palate, after which the wood takes over; a Christmas pine hit, the fruit now acting as flamboyant outriders, the caramels rushing in to fill the gap. The finish is long and dry and punches into the throat." 

Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible wrote: "Amontillado is probably my favourite sherry style. How many times, though, have I discovered its delicate, complex, understated nature perfectly transferred onto a single malt? In some 35 years, this must be only the fourth or fifth time, and I doubt any quite displayed such truth to its style, such panache." 

About Kavalan Whisky 

The Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan has been dedicated to the art of single malt whisky since 2006. The world's first subtropical whisky distiller, it is a pioneer in making whisky in a hot climate, and has collected more than 180 gold awards. At its distillery, a world-class R&D team and UK-trained master blender, together with an international whisky consultant, oversee the production of an annual 5 million bottles of the world's finest-tasting whiskies, including the 2015 World's Best Single Malt Whisky, Solist Vinho Barrique. 

Aged in American oak bottles in intense humidity and heat, Kavalan also benefits from sea and mountain breezes and the Snow Mountain's spring water, which combine to create Kavalan Whisky's signature creaminess. Kavalan takes its name from the old name for Yilan County and is backed by 30 years of beverage-making thanks to parent company, King Car Group. It is available in 40 countries. Visit www.kavalanwhisky.com/en/. 

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