Taiwan’s Kavalan is the island’s first non-government owned distillery, with manufacturing starting in 2006. Up to now, they’ve launched all kinds of single malts throughout numerous cask sorts, together with some we’ve discovered really distinctive. (The current Whisky Vinho Barrique Cask Power involves thoughts.)
In March 2025, Kavalan introduced the U.S. launch of its commemorative, fifteenth Anniversary Classic 2009 Whiskies. Whereas these are non age-stated releases, in response to the model, on the time of bottling they had been “the distiller’s oldest whiskies up to now.”
The 2 sister whiskies are each from the 2009 distilling classic, and every retails for a cool $1,000 as a part of a present set that features a coaster and glass. One options whisky aged in ex-Oloroso sherry casks, and the opposite was aged in ex-bourbon. Stateside, these can be obtainable in choose retailers in California, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York, and Texas.
Individually, Kavalan has additionally not too long ago introduced its first-ever age-stated single malt, a 15 yr expression bottled at 43% abv. For this overview, we’ll solely be tasting the 2 fifteenth anniversary expressions.
Each 15 Anniversary whiskies are non-chill-filtered and bottled at cask power. Let’s dive in!
This bottling was matured in an Oloroso sherry cask, then hand-picked from Kavalan’s crop of 2009 distillate. The nostril begins thickly with wealthy, dried, darkish fruits, together with prunes, dates, and black figs; these fruit scents get borderline funky and fermented on a deep inhale. Aromas of rum-soaked figgy pudding and walnut oil linger a layer under these dried fruits. Even additional in arrive gentle rose and natural notes, which pair with some persevering with nuttiness to evoke Persian almond cake with cardamom.
The primary sip is wealthy in each cocoa and tea tannins, like a darkish chocolate bar laced with the essence of Earl Gray. Brandy-heavy fruitcake is up subsequent, the fruit a bit of sweeter and much more decadent than on the nostril. The again palate turns barely bitter, a handoff from sweetened to unsweetened chocolate with a kick of drip espresso. On the end, tart tropical fruits come roaring in, notably guava, papaya, and starfruit, giving some welcome form to the bitter, tannic buildup towards the tip of the palate. Candy sufficient whereas showcasing its tannic aspect, Kavalan’s 15 yr previous sherry cask single malt appears keen to spotlight a breadth of flavors with out taking part in to a typical denominator. The danger (principally) pays off.
112.6 proof.
A- / $1,000
This launch was aged throughout “hand-selected” American ex-bourbon barrels. Gentle and shiny on the nostril, early aromas lean into toasted honeycomb and overripe apricot. Toasted, slivered almonds roll in shortly thereafter, adopted even additional on by buttered sourdough and malt beer. It’s directly charming and accessible, showcasing some intrinsic malt character whereas incorporating sufficient pronounced fruit and wooden sugars to maintain issues fascinating, all of that are capped off by a toasted, bready high quality.
In comparison with its sherry cask sibling, the primary sip is delicate however actually not missing in taste. Bread flavors rapidly construct and are joined in brief order by preserved tropical fruit — assume guava paste unfold atop toast. Rose and lavender-infused easy syrup meets dense almond cookie on the midpalate, adopted by apricot preserves and inexperienced figs on the end. It’s extra restrained than the opposite launch within the pair, however no much less scrumptious — and maybe a shade extra balanced.
100 proof.
A / $1,000
Kavalan fifteenth Anniversary Classic 2009 Ex-Bourbon Cask Power Single Malt Whisky
USD1000
