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About Taiwanese Spirits

About Taiwanese Spirits
A recent phenomenon in Taiwan has been the production of single malt whisky. Not just any single malt, mind you, but some that have been acclaimed as among the world's best. All this in just a few short years.

The single malts from Taiwan are made in an intense, yet elegant style that emphasize strong and complex fruit and spice flavors from the distillate and especially the oak, were the tropical climate of the island has a huge influence and greatly accelerates maturation. While single malt whisky in Taiwan is a small industry at present, look for it to grow.

Top Picks for Taiwan

Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
97 points
$179.99
Kavalan
Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Dark amber color. Aromas of black tea with cream and honey, geranium, caramel mocha latte, peanut brittle, cinnamon crumble, and autumn leaves with a round, lively, fruity medium-full body and a warming, distinctive, long salted raisins, saffron, caramelized apricot, chocolate taffy, and crispy creme brulee finish. A big, concentrated whisky to drench the palate in richness.
Awards: 2018 Best Taiwanese Whisky
97 points $179.99
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Kavalan Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
96 points
$599.99
Kavalan
Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Dark amber color. Aromas of charred raisins, marcona almonds, dried olives, butterscotch, and clove cigarettes with a round, lively, fruity full body and a peppery, layered, long salted orange liqueur, polished mahogany, chocolate covered cherries, sandalwood, marinated red pepper, and spiced cider finish. A richly flavored and boldly textured whiskey for toasts and celebrations.
96 points $599.99
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Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
95 points
$299.99
Kavalan
Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Dark amber color. Attractive aromas and flavors of cherry cola, fine cigars, banana candy, black tea, roasted almond and cashews, and pistachio confection with a round, racy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a hot, medium-length finish with notes of molasses and carob finish. A very bright expression from Taiwan with plenty of tingle.
95 points $299.99
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Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
95 points
$469.99
Kavalan
Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Amber color. Oaky aromas of vanilla yogurt coated nuts, antique furniture, lemon and almond oils, char-grilled white corn, and poppyseed with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dryish medium-to-full body and a hot, appealing, long salted sourdough bread, buttercream, and plums in syrup finish. A dry and leathery Taiwanese whiskey for exotic cigar pairings.
95 points $469.99
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King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky
94 points
$119.99
King Car
Conductor Single Malt Whisky
Golden amber color. Aromas of madeira cake, dried fig, sweet thai chile sauce, date bar, granny smith apple, and pie crusts with a satiny, lively, fruity light-to-medium body and a peppery, distinctive, long grilled pineapple coulis, tropical fruit tart, passionfruit cordial, oat cakes, and roasted almonds and cashews finish. A bright, shining whisky with exceptional balance and singing tropical flavors.
94 points $119.99
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Kavalan Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
94 points
$599.99
Kavalan
Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Copper color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate dipped dried figs, baked peach, tapenade topped grilled brioche, sesame oil, cedar, and soy glazed walnut with a satiny, vibrant, fruity full body and a peppery, layered, medium-long finish with touches of caramelized tropical fruits, molasses, Thai chiles, and sea salt finish. A powerful Taiwanese whisky with a salty-rich appeal and endless umami flavors.
94 points $599.99
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Kavalan Solist Pedro Ximénez Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
94 points
$699.99
Kavalan
Solist Pedro Ximénez Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Bright mahogany color. Aromas of molasses, almond biscotti, leather, olives, tamari, toasted coconut, and red bean confection with a slightly chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, interesting, medium-long chocolate truffle, cloud berry, star anise, carob, raisins, and dried figs finish. A chewy, sherry-influenced tropical whiskey that will be very attractive to rum drinkers.
94 points $699.99
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Kavalan Sherry Oak Single Malt Whisky
94 points
$149.99
Kavalan
Sherry Oak Single Malt Whisky
Brilliant mahogany color. Aromas and flavors of stewed black fruits, ground peanuts, swiss cheese, and pancake syrup with a lightly tannic, crisp, fruity sweet full body and a searing, thought-provoking, long finish with shades of chocolate covered caramel and peanut butter, molasses, candied peanuts, and dried pineapple finish. A super-rich and full bodied whiskey that will play well in high-end cocktails.
94 points $149.99
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Kavalan Distillery Reserve Rum Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
93 points
$69.99
Kavalan
Distillery Reserve Rum Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Light gold color. Aromas of buttered spice cake, marzipan, vanilla steamer, and raisin bran with a glycerous, lively, dry light-to-medium body and a hot, medium-length white pepper, teriyaki, and roasted stone fruits finish. A peppery, bone-dry, cask-strength whiskey with loads of umami notes.
93 points $69.99
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Kavalan Oloroso Sherry Oak Single Malt Whisky
93 points
$149.99
Kavalan
Oloroso Sherry Oak Single Malt Whisky
Copper color. Yeasty, fruity aromas of raisins, maple-pecan, sea salt, sweet soy sauce, molasses cookies, brioche, candied cherries, and fruit cake with a velvety, crisp, fruity full body and a warming, intricate, long cola, Spanish peanut brittle, plum sauce, sage, halvah, and candied pine nuts finish. A full-bodied, heavily sherry-influenced Taiwanese whiskey with a dark and mysterious allure; rum-lovers need apply.
93 points $149.99
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Date Tasted: