Kavalan has received top awards at the stricter International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) competition this year now that it is more difficult to meet the criteria for "Gold Outstanding" and "Gold".

Kavalan also achieved Platinum twice and Gold 10 times at the International Review of Spirits (IRS) organized by the Tastings-Beverage Testing Institute in the US.

Glorious Ex-Bourbon

The Soloist * ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whiskey from Kavalan won Gold Outstanding in the IWSC and Platinum in the IRS with 97 points.

The IRS judges described the Ex-Bourbon on the nose as "ice cream with the taste of banana and pistachio, cake and smoked honey butter" and in the mouth as "white peach, rose tea, saffron and coconut cream." They concluded that it is "a powerful, highly nuanced whiskey that is a pleasure to discover."

IWSC prices

In addition to the Gold Outstanding prize for the Ex-Bourbon, the IWSC awarded four Gold prizes (95-100) to:

• Ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt Whisky van Kavalan
• Podium Single Malt Whisky van Kavalan
• Concertmaster Single Malt Whisky van Kavalan
• Distillery Reserve Peaty Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky van Kavalan

Platinum and Gold awarded by the IRS

In addition to the Solist Ex-Bourbon, the other Platinum winner in the IRS was the Solist Vinho Barrique with 96 points.

The judges described his aroma as "roasted pineapple, caramel, pecan-praline, pear poached in wine, and chocolate-covered malted milk ball." And the taste they described as "candied peanuts, vanilla beans, dried mango, and baked dates."

• 97 Solist* Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky van Kavalan
• 96 Solist* Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky van Kavalan

IRS Gold awards were also awarded to the Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Oak, the Kavalan Solist * Oloroso Sherry, the Kavalan Oloroso Sherry Oak, the Kavalan Solist * Fino Sherry, the Kavalan Classic, the Kavalan Solist * Port, the Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peaty Cask, the Kavalan Distillery Reserve Rum Cask, the King Car Conductor and the Kavalan Stage.

Quotes from Kavalan

CEO YT Lee said the stricter IWSC standards are good for whiskey enthusiasts.

"These stricter competition criteria help people to distinguish the very best whiskeys and oblige us to perform better," said Mr. Lee.

Master blender Ian Chang said that Kavalan's whiskeys benefit from the natural environment in Yilan, Taiwan.

"It seems that with the best barrels in the world and in our unique subtropical climate we can brew whiskeys that are worth their weight in gold," said Mr. Chang.

* Please note that the award-winning "Solist" series from Kavalan is sold under the name "Cask Strength" series on the US market for trademark reasons.

About Kavalan Distillery

Kavalan Distillery in Yilan Province has been a pioneer dedicated to the art of single malt whiskey in Taiwan since 2005. Our whiskey matures in intense heat and humidity and uses the meltwater from the snowy mountains. The cool sea and mountain air makes it even better. Together these factors create the typical creamy taste of Kavalan. The name Kavalan is the old name of the Yilan province where the distillery is located. The distillery enjoys the support of its parent company, King Car Group, which has been active in making beverages for almost 40 years. The distillery has won more than 350 gold or higher awards in major industry competitions and its products are available in more than 70 countries. Visit www.kavalanwhisky.com.

Source: PRNewswire

Image Source: PRNewswire