#Taiwan #Yilan County #Kavalan Whisky #IWC #Peatist Series

Kavalan Triumphs Again as 'Whisky of the Year'

Kavalan Distillery has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the prestigious title of 'Whisky of the Year' not once, but twice in a row at the International Whisky Competition (IWC). This year, the accolade was bestowed upon their Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, which scored an impressive 96.97 points. This accolade comes just a year after Kavalan's Solist Fino Sherry received the same honor.

Kavalan has taken home numerous titles over the past eleven years, marking a significant presence in the global whisky landscape. In fact, the distillery filled eight spots in the IWC's Top 15 Whiskies, a testament to its high-quality range.

The Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask is crafted from lightly peated malt and aged in Oloroso Sherry casks. This combination creates a beautiful harmony between the gentle smokiness of the peat and the fruity subtropical notes that Kavalan is renowned for.

Master Tasting Notes provided by Octavio Bernal, a Master of Scotch from the Council of Whiskey Masters, describe the whisky's nose as vibrant with hints of oily leather, earthy tea blends, and a touch of anise. This complexity continues onto the palate, where chocolate-covered raisins, chewy figs, and a subtle barbecue smokiness await. The finish offers a lingering taste of dark leather, juicy cassis, and lightly roasted cocoa nibs.

Commenting on this achievement, YT Lee, Chairman of King Car Group, said, "Our consistent pursuit of breakthroughs and innovations is at the core of our operations. Each award is a reflection of our team's passion and dedication. We are grateful to be acknowledged by the world's most esteemed whisky competitions, which motivate us to explore new horizons for Taiwanese single malts."

Max A. Solano, Director of the International Whisky Competition, highlighted Kavalan's impressive accomplishment, stating, "Kavalan has managed to win Whisky of the Year consecutively at one of the industry's most challenging blind tasting contests. The Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask stood out due to its exceptional depth, balance, and complexity."

The IWC employs a rigorous double-blind tasting process whereby each entry is evaluated impartially, raising the competition's credibility. The back-to-back wins are complemented by an astounding total of 11 global best titles collected by Kavalan in the last eleven years, in addition to eight Distillery of the Year accolades and over 1,000 international gold medals.

At the IWC 2026, Kavalan's Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask was awarded the coveted 'Whisky of the Year' title, while Zerose Yang, Head of Research and Development at Kavalan, was recognized as Master Distiller of the Year.

The Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask is currently available in Taiwan and select international markets, including France, Canada, Germany, the Czech Republic, China, and Hong Kong, with plans to expand further.

About Kavalan Whisky: Founded in 2005, the Kavalan Distillery in Yilan County has revolutionized the single malt whisky scene in Taiwan. Using the pure meltwaters from Snow Mountain and benefitting from the region's unique climate, Kavalan has created a distinctively creamy whisky renowned worldwide. Backed by over 45 years of beverage-making expertise through its parent company King Car Group, Kavalan has firmly established itself as a leader in the industry, continuously reaping awards across competitive platforms.