BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED TAIWANESE WHISKY GIFT SETS

Taiwan ANNOUNCES Native Species Exclusive Edition Gift Sets

Taiwan is known for its preponderance of high ABV whisky drinkers. Most global distilleries keep this fact in mind and offer high ABV malt whiskies to satiate the Taiwanese. It has recently emerged that the Taiwanese are not averse to the low EU and Scotch ABV whiskies. It is quite probable that the average Taiwanese cuts his high ABV drink with water or soda.

Kavalan has now announced an exclusive Taiwan-focussed series featuring the island’s native exotic species that illustrate auspicious symbols of hope and prosperity. Kavalan’s Classic, Concertmaster Port Cask Finish, and Solist Vinho Barrique whiskies have been bottled for the gift sets, featuring the Mikado Pheasant, Sika Deer, and Leopard Cat.

Starting in June, the Taiwanese Native Species Exclusive Edition Gift Sets will be available in the Philippines, Guam, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, the Czech Republic and China.

Each set, illustrated by Taiwanese artist Sandy Liu, celebrates the richness of Taiwan’s natural beauty and biodiversity. The Mikado Pheasant, Sika Deer and Leopard Cat are Taiwanese emblems because of their rarity and beauty. Like Kavalan, they are ‘Pure Taiwan’.

The Classic and Concertmaster Port Cask Finish gift sets can be combined into a ‘complete island’ or bought individually. The Solist Vinho Barrique gift set is sold as a special label edition.

THE NATIVE SPECIES EXCLUSIVE EDITION GIFT SETS

Each edition in this exclusive series features a Taiwanese native species:

Mikado Pheasant - Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky - RRP USD75.5

The Mikado Pheasant, or “Emperor’s Pheasant,” has a splendid, royal blue plumage and is considered a national symbol. It is accompanied by the Taiwan Barbet and the Tree Peony, symbolising wealth. The set includes the following three bottlings:

Classic Single Malt 40% vol. 700ml 

Classic Single Malt 40% vol. 50ml

Distillery Select No.1 Single Malt 40% vol. 50ml

Sika Deer - Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky-RRP USD 54.00

The Formosan Sika Deer has distinctive white spots that are most prominent in summer. The male has antlers, which are grown and replaced every year. The Sika Deer is depicted alongside three butterflies with auspicious symbolism and the Butterfly Orchid representing happiness and success. This set includes the following three bottlings:

Concertmaster Port Cask Finish Single Malt 40% vol. 700ml

Classic Single Malt 40% vol. 50ml

Distillery Select No.1 Single Malt 40% vol. 50ml

Leopard Cat - Special Label-Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky-RRP USD 126

The Formosan Leopard Cat has cloud-like markings on its fur and is distinctive for its tail, which is shorter than that of other leopard cats. It is depicted with the Taiwan Barbet, three butterflies with auspicious symbolism, the Butterfly Orchid representing happiness and success, and the Tree Peony, a symbol of wealth. This set includes the following two bottlings:

Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt 50-59.9% vol. 700ml

Wine Oak Single Malt 54% vol. 50ml 

A LOOK AT EACH BOTTLE:

Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky 

This spirit exemplifies the sheer quality of whisky coming out of Taiwan. The craftsmanship of the distillery works with the humid Taiwanese climate to create whisky that is diverse and complex. Fresh and clean, the spirit is rich with silky smoothness and hints of tropical fruits, mango in particular.

ABV : 40%

Colour: Lively and passionate amber

Flavour: Clean, elegant, floral (pleasant & refreshing fragrance of the butterfly orchid), fruity and seductive. With hints of honey, tropical fruits (mango in particular), pear drop, vanilla, coconuts and suggestions of chocolate.

Palate: A hint of sweet mango juice with that spicy complexity and gentle warmth on a medium, oily and citrus finish.

Taste: Kavalan classic is3 the perfect partner for seafood. We suggest sometimes you can dilute Kavalan classic with water, the perfect ratio is "Kavalan Classic 5: Water 1, and add ice to cool.

Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky

Using Portuguese ruby Port wine casks as the main flavour, Kavalan

Concertmaster Port Cask Finish single malt whisky is first matured in specially selected American oak casks and then finished in port barriques. The ageing in barriques mellows the flavours and adds indefinable smoothness to the whisky. It is rich bodied with natural sweetness and complexity.

ABV: 40%

Colour: Brownish red

Flavour: Tropical fruitiness with honey, vanilla, coconut and candy floss.

Palate: Rich bodied with natural sweetness and complexity.

Taste: Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish pairs indulgently with chocolate, making it even more delicious.

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky

Vinho is fully matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and recharred in a way that brings out fruity vanilla notes from the wood into the whisky overlaid on a delicate background of complex fruitiness.

It has a complex and multi-dimensional background of pepper, spice, dates and other fruits, such as ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of bursting citrus fruits.

ABV: 50-59.9%

Colour: Deep autumn gold

Flavour: A rich fusion of vanilla and caramelized sugars with dark chocolate on top. Ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of citrus fruits burst. Pepper is also present in the background waiting to be noticed.

Palate

The taste ends with clean and complex flavours embodying all that is best in the finest malt whiskies enjoying a long aftertaste.

Taste: We suggest drinking Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask neat.