#Taiwan #Kavalan Distillery #Whiskies #Zerose Yang #Yilan City

Kavalan Distillery's Unprecedented Success at IWC 2025

On July 1, 2025, the Kavalan Distillery made headlines at the 16th edition of the International Whisky Competition (IWC) held in Louisville, Kentucky, by clinching three major awards: the coveted 'Whisky of the Year', 'Distillery of the Year', and 'Master Distiller of the Year'. This remarkable achievement demonstrates Kavalan's relentless pursuit of excellence and solidifies its reputation as a global leader in the whisky industry.

Among the highlights of the competition was the Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry, which was awarded 'Whisky of the Year' with an impressive score of 97.04 points. Judges were particularly impressed by its harmonious balance, tropical richness, and layered complexity, which distinguished it from other contenders.

Max A. Solano, the competition director, emphasized the quality of the Solist Fino Sherry, stating that it presented a world-class expression that stood out among the entries. YT Lee, the president of King Car, expressed gratitude for the recognition in a competition widely regarded as one of the most prestigious globally, often referred to as the 'Olympics of whisky competitions'.

In a detailed evaluation process, every entry was assessed individually under blind tasting conditions, lasting eight minutes per sample. This rigorous approach ensures the integrity and impartiality of the judging process. The judges, all whisky industry experts, were unaware of the producers or origins of the whiskies during the evaluation.

Kavalan’s Solist Fino Sherry showcases a complex aroma profile, abundant with notes of mango, apricot, roasted pineapple, almonds, dried figs, and oak spices. On the palate, it unveils intense flavors of plums, brandy cherries, dark chocolate, and the dry finesse characteristic of fino sherry, culminating in a finish enriched with coffee, sandalwood, and dried citrus notes.

At this year's competition, Kavalan achieved remarkable rankings in the top 15 whiskies, with the following placements:

• - 1st Place: Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 97.04 pts
• - 9th Place: Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 95.78 pts
• - 11th Place: Solist Palo Cortado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 95.68 pts

The awards received by Kavalan include:

• - Whisky of the Year: Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 97.04 pts
• - Distillery of the Year: Kavalan Distillery – 92.78 pts Average
• - Master Distiller of the Year: Zerose Yang, head of R&D at Kavalan
• - Golden Barrel Trophy: Kavalan will defend the Golden Barrel trophy until the next year's winner is announced.

About the Golden Barrel Trophy

Designed in Switzerland and presented at the Diageo Archive, the Golden Barrel Trophy symbolizes the pinnacle of whisky excellence. It features two lions holding a barrel, cast in bronze and plated with 24-carat gold. The trophy will be held by the winner until the subsequent competition, with each winner's name inscribed on its marble base, preserving the history of each 'Whisky of the Year'.

About the International Whisky Competition

Founded in 2010, the IWC aims to provide a credible platform for whisky evaluation, awarding only three medals: Gold, Silver, and Bronze, in each category. With its stringent standards and transparent methodology, the IWC has earned a reputation as the 'World Whisky Olympics'.

Whiskies are evaluated through a blind tasting process to ensure complete impartiality, structured to guarantee that only the highest-quality whiskies receive accolades. Judges bring in-depth expertise, ensuring an accurate evaluation process.

About Kavalan

Since its inception in 2005, Kavalan Distillery has been at the forefront of pure malt whisky production in Taiwan. The distillery, located in Yilan County, benefits from pristine glacier waters and a unique climate that enhances the whisky's characteristic creaminess. With over 960 awards, including numerous Gold medals, Kavalan continues to push the boundaries of whisky craftsmanship, underpinned by over 45 years of beverage experience from its parent company, King Car Group.