Skip to main content

Taiwan’s Kavalan Whisky Introduces New Expression Designed for Mixing

Need a new single malt whisky for mixing? Try Kavalan Distillery Select

Kavalan Whisky
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’ve never had anything from Taiwanese single malt distillery Kavalan before, stop, head to your nearest liquor store, and pick up a bottle. Actually, read through this, then head to the liquor store so that you can pick up two bottles of Kavalan: one of the new-to-the-United-States Kavalan Distillery Select and another of the other, award-winning whiskies such as King Car Conductor.

Recommended Videos

The latest Kavalan whisky to hit our shores is matured in select malt neutral casks, which “shows off the fruitiness and sub-tropical characteristic of Taiwan’s climate without too much influence from the wood,” Master Blender Ian Chang said in a statement. “We simplified our recipe to create the purest and creamiest of whiskies with rich and complex layers to further endorse our rigorous cask policy.”

On the nose, you’ll find vanilla mixing with tropical fruits and floral notes that lead into a body that is mellow and smooth with the same tropical fruit flavors coming through, this time though with the addition of cherry and green apple.

Kavalan Whisky
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The release of Distillery Select comes on the heels of Chang’s triple crown of whisky prizes: The Icons of Whisky’s 2018 Distiller of the Year and its 2017 World Brand Ambassador, as well as the World Whiskies Awards’ 2015 Distillery Manager and Master Distiller of the Year.

With the introduction of Kavalan Distillery Select, the company hopes to expand beyond their already award-winning ways by having a whisky that can not only quench the thirst of the staunchest single malt whisky lovers but also attend to the needs of those looking to shake things up a little bit.

To get you started on the Kavalan Cocktail Convoy (feel free to use that Kavalan, we’ll ignore the consultation fee this time), check out two cocktail recipes from the brand below. One, a highball, is the perhaps the perfect example of a long drink while the other, Infused with the Tropics, uses fruity flavors to showcase some of the notes you’ll find in Kavalan Distillery Select.

Kavalan Distillery Select will retail for around $60 and is available across the country.

Kavalan Distillery Select Highball

  • 2 oz Kavalan Distillery Select
  • 4 oz Soda water

Method: Pour Kavalan Distillery select into your favorite highball glass. Fill glass to three-quarters full with cubed ice. Stir whisky counterclockwise a total of 11 times. Fill glass to brim with ice and top with soda water. Slowly remove stirring spoon while lightly rotating between hands.

Infused with the Tropics

  • 2 oz Kavalan Distillery Select
  • .25 oz Banana Liqueur
  • 5 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 3 Dashes Black Walnut Bitters
  • Orange zest and banana chip garnish

Method: Build all ingredients in mixing glass and fill mixing glass to brim. Stir ingredients in mixing glass until properly diluted (about 10 times in each direction). Strain into rocks glass over one large rock. Express orange peel and swipe rim. Place banana chip on top of ice

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Ferment Brewing celebrates a legendary sturgeon and wildlife conservation with a proper IPA
A hoppy craft beer for an ancient local fish
Ferment Brewing High Five Herman IPA.

Ferment Brewing Company is celebrating the birthday of one of the biggest tourists attractions in the Pacific Northwest. The Hood River brewery, located in the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge, is toasting a beloved sturgeon named Herman with a proper IPA. The beer is an homage to the 500-pound fish, believed to be well over 80 years in age.

The beer, aptly-named High Five, Herman!, officially drops on June 22nd. That's the same day that the area celebrates the ancient and giant fish's big day. Herman's home is in a spacious observation tank at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. It's the second year running at the west coast brewery has joined in the celebration of Herman, an Oregon celebrity.

Read more
This historic US winery can legally call its wine champagne
Dive into the 150-year old history of this unique south jersey spot
Renault Winery

I lived in South Jersey for most of my life, yet I was completely unaware that such a popular winery with a rich history was right here in my backyard. The Renault Winery's story dates back nearly 156 years, when Louis Nicholas Renault left his hometown in France to set sail for California and later settled in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Since then, the winery has changed hands a few times but still retains one unique trait that sets it apart from other wineries.

While most wineries in the U.S. are not allowed to call their sparkling wine champagne, Renault Winery has a notable historical exception. This historical privilege dates back to when Louis Renault requested a special permit from French authorities in the 1870s that allowed his wines to be labeled as champagne. Since the winery is grandfathered in, it can still safely call its blueberry sparkling wine "Blueberry Champagne", unlike other companies in the U.S. that must refer to it as a sparkling wine. Today, visitors can take a walking tour of Renault Winery and experience a wine tasting, diving into the history of this special winery.

Read more
Aquavit: the centuries-old spirit that’s more than just “black death”
What exaclty is aquavit?
Alcohol tasting: Aquavit, Bitter orange snaps, Bask, Arrack punsch

If you’ve ever been to Iceland, there’s a chance a local tour guide has offered you a chance to partake in a less-than-appealing local rite of passage. I’m talking about eating fermented shark followed by a shot of Brennivin. I, like many travelers to Iceland, have taken part in this life-changing experience. I can tell you that the shark is the biggest acquired taste I’ve ever been a part of.

The Brennivin, on the other hand, was actually memorable in a good way. Even though it’s referred to as “black death,” this strong Icelandic spirit is a neutral spirit made from potatoes. It gets its unique flavor from the use of caraway seeds. It’s the country’s main type of Aquavit and it's the national drink. But it’s definitely not the only country that makes this unique spirit. You might be wondering what Aquavit is.

Read more