25/08/2023
Chapter 30
A chat with...Kaitlyn Tsai (Kavalan Distillery) - #26
This time we are headed to Asia, to discover Kavalan Distillery, who has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky in the Yilan County, in Taiwan since 2005, when it was opened by entrepreneur Mr. Tien-Tsai Lee.
The name Kavalan, is the old name of the Yilan County and the distillery, mainly known for its tropical-fruit style, released its first bottling in December 2008. Since then, it has won several awards in a very short time and has attracted the attention of many whisky connoisseurs. In 2016, during the World Whiskies Awards, Kavalan’s Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength was named the World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt Whisky.
We wanted to know more about this brand and distillery, and have had a chat with Kaitlyn Tsai, brand ambassador and global PR officer for the distillery.
Let’s see what she told us…
Hi Kaitlyn, thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Please introduce yourself, and tell us a little bit about your whisky journey so far.
My name is Kaitlyn Tsai, and I was born in Taipei. However, my family originally hails from Yilan, the home of the Kavalan Distillery. Yilan is renowned in Taiwan for being a heaven of lush greenery and untouched landscapes, as it is the only county in the country where heavy industry is prohibited.
Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around playing in the vibrant rice fields of Yilan County. Growing up, I had the opportunity to visit the Kavalan Distillery numerous times.
Before joining Kavalan, my career was centred around the film industry. I was fortunate to be hired by AboveTaiwan Cinema and contribute to two significant projects. The first was an award-winning environmental documentary film titled “Beyond Beauty—Taiwan From Above II.” The second was a feature film that revolved around an air ambulance rescue team. Tragically, during the aerial filming for this project, the director, Chi Po-lin, lost his life in a helicopter crash. Following the completion of a memorial exhibition and concert dedicated to director Chi, I returned to my hometown in Yilan.
When and how did you join this growing industry?
It was in 2017 that Kavalan happened to be recruiting brand ambassadors, and I seized this opportunity eagerly. I was captivated by Kavalan’s ability to create a new category in the global industry with Taiwanese whisky, which had not received much promotion at that time. Joining the Kavalan team was a dream come true for me.
In my role as a Kavalan Brand Ambassador and Global PR Officer, my primary objective is to generate brand awareness. This involves collaborating with the media, assisting in content creation, and organising and executing tasting events and sessions worldwide to drive customer advocacy for Kavalan.
Additionally, I consider supporting the Kavalan sales team through internal staff training and external training for clients overseas as an important aspect of my responsibilities.
Over the past five years, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, I had the privilege of traveling to more than 10 countries and conducting numerous whisky tastings and masterclasses. At the beginning of each event, I always take the opportunity to introduce Kavalan as a single malt whisky from Taiwan.
To this day, I cherish the opportunity to help more people learn about Taiwan by enjoying Kavalan Whisky.
Now tell us a bit more about Kavalan, what is it that makes it stand out in the whisky industry?
For approximately half of the year, Taiwan experiences intensely hot and humid weather. The landscape is abundant with palm trees and betel nut trees, and it is often battered by monsoons and heavy rains. Given these conditions, no one initially believed that whisky could mature in such a place. After all, Scotch whisky is traditionally produced in cold climates where the aging process leads to maturity. However, Kavalan defied these expectations and redefined quality based on maturity rather than age.
Kavalan transformed our perceived weakness into a strength. During the scorching summer months, with temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius, the whisky peacefully rests in oak casks, benefitting from high-speed extraction. As the whisky expands, it absorbs flavor compounds from within the barrel walls, incorporating distinct characteristics into its profile.
In the winter, when temperatures drop to around 10 degrees Celsius, and the Pacific breezes are influenced by Siberian winds, the whisky undergoes enhanced oxidation while it continues to rest and contract. Cool winds enter the five-story warehouses through open windows, gently circulating around the barrels. Simultaneously, inside the casks, the whisky “breathes in” the Pacific breezes, capturing and preserving the tantalising flavours it has extracted from the wood.
This harmonious interplay of extraction and oxidation results in a one-of-a-kind ageing process that is unique to Kavalan.
Our success can be attributed to our pioneering spirit, unwavering commitment to pursuing our dreams, and insistence on the highest standards. From the outset, Chairman Mr. TT Lee envisioned a distillery that would produce Kavalan whisky, characterised by sub-tropical fruitiness, floral fragrances, and world-class quality.
To achieve this goal, we established a state-of-the-art laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Swan, dedicated to innovation in quality and flavour. One remarkable example of our laboratory’s achievements is the development of the STR (shaving, toasting and recharring) treatment, introduced within the first few years of our launch. Through this technique, we created the Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique, which went on to win the prestigious ‘World’s Best Single Malt Whisky’ at the World Whiskies Awards in 2015.
When you taste Kavalan, you will discover an incredibly smooth, mellow, and creamy whisky with a captivating aroma of tropical fruits and sweetness. The flavors of apple, mango, and the native orchids of Yilan County, Taiwan, are prominent. These remarkable flavors are the result of using the finest raw materials, casks, and technology, combined with the unwavering determination of our team.
Can you tell us what Kavalan's target audience is?
Kavalan welcomes everyone of legal drinking age to explore our range of whiskies. One of the remarkable aspects of Kavalan is the wide variety of whiskies we offer, which allows us to appeal to a diverse audience.
For instance, our Kavalan Distillery Select No.1 & No.2, Classic, and Concertmaster expressions are bottled at 40% ABV, making them perfect for sharing among friends and family on any occasion. These whiskies have gained popularity not only among enthusiasts but also among mixologists who appreciate their versatility in creating unique cocktails.
As a result, we have cultivated a growing customer base that initially discovered Kavalan in bars and subsequently developed an interest in exploring our higher ABV whiskies for savouring on their own.
Whether you are new to whisky or a seasoned aficionado, Kavalan offers a range of options to cater to your preferences and occasions, providing an enjoyable experience for all who appreciate fine spirits.
Can you tell us how you select your casks, and anticipate anything about what we can expect to see next?
In the case of our Solist range, which excludes any blending or finishing, we meticulously analyse and evaluate each cask in the maturation warehouse through both chemical analysis and sensory evaluation. Once a cask reaches the desired flavour profile and quality, we bottle the whisky directly. We carefully select casks within each batch to ensure that consumers can enjoy consistently exceptional cask strength whisky with minimal fluctuations or variations.
As Kavalan enters its second decade, we continue to prioritise innovation. In September 2020, we broke ground for the construction of our third maturation warehouse, a project expected to be completed within two years or more. This new warehouse boasts a larger capacity than our first and second maturation warehouses, reflecting our commitment to expanding and enhancing our operations.
Throughout this year, we remain dedicated to expanding our global presence and delighting whisky enthusiasts with exciting surprises. In the upcoming years, you can anticipate a multitude of additions to our whisky ranges, including variations in cask selection, as well as the introduction of new gins. Furthermore, we currently have peated malt whiskies undergoing maturation, which will undoubtedly satisfy peat-loving fans in the future.
At Kavalan, our relentless pursuit of excellence drives us to push boundaries, constantly striving to bring new and exceptional experiences to whisky aficionados worldwide.
What advice would you give to a beginner that is approaching this world and perhaps starting his/her own collection?
I would recommend Kavalan Distillery Select No.1. It’s also my favourite daily dram. The thing about this whisky is that it’s a classic, quintessential single malt, very pure and creamy and also very versatile, so you can drink it neat or in various whisky cocktails. In it you get the flavours of rich fudge, toffee, and tropical fruitiness. It can be paired with almost any dish, especially chicken cuisine. So delicious.
Lastly, what is, generally speaking, your favourite whisky style (cask type, ageing, peated/unpeated etc.)? What’s your dram of choice at the moment and/or your go to drams on a Friday evening?
Tasting – Triple Sherry Cask. Delicately sweet with driedfruits. It’s deliciously creamy and a joy to share on any occasion.
Drinking – Kavalan Distillery Select No.2. The No. 2 blends floral and herbal notes, mature woodiness and warm spiciness. It is deeply aromatic. You can discover the notes of white flowers like jasmine and Gardenia. It’s given the mature woodiness and lively spiciness on the palate. The sweetness of melon-like fruitiness.
Sipping – Kavalan Solist Port, my favourite whisky among Kavalans.
Official website: https://www.kavalanwhisky.com/en
Drams
and more...
Today's drams
- Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask – 40%
- Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Oak – 46%
- Kavalan Oloroso Sherry Oak – 46%
- Kavalan Podium – 46%
- King Car Conductor – 46%
- Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique – 56.3%
- Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength – 50-59.9%