Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky Review

As a spirits writer, it’s always exciting to discover a new whisky from a country I’ve never tried before. Taiwan is a relatively new player in the world of whisky production, but Kavalan, the country’s first privately-owned distillery, has been making waves with its innovative approach to whisky-making.

Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

Kavalan’s Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky is a non-age-stated blend of malt whiskies distilled and matured exclusively in Taiwan. The whisky is heavily influenced by secondary sherry cask maturation, with Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel sherry casks used in this particular release. Bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), this whisky is priced at $100, making it a luxury tier whisky alongside high-end Scotch releases.

Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask

On the nose, the whisky presents with a surprisingly large amount of caramel, more than one typically finds in malt whisky. The interplay of the various wine casks presents a lot of bright red fruitiness, with zingy notes of raspberry jam, cherry, and fig. I’m also getting some orange citrus, and with time, more coffee richness and roast are coming forward as well.

On the palate, you get more overt roastiness, with some barrel char and espresso, joined by toasted malt and plenty of sherry. Oxidized nuttiness evokes the Oloroso, while the jammy red fruit and citrus leans more toward the PX sherry component. Long, lingering vanilla and dried fruit—lots of raisin cookies—are signature notes, while dueling with more subtle impressions of faint earthiness and leather. The finish is mildly bitter, and a bit on the short side, though the dried fruit does linger. Residual sweetness is pretty moderate, and this feels like a nice little treat at 43% ABV.

 Whisky barrels

All in all, this is an easily accessible and quite pleasant sherried malt. It doesn’t quite have the overall depth of some of the extra-aged Scottish versions of the same idea, but it absolutely is in the same family—you wonder what it might be like with just a longer aging. Likewise, it’s not the cleanest way to experience Kavalan’s specific malt whisky for the first time, as a huge amount of the character here is being drawn from the sherry barrels, and it’s a little difficult to get a bead on the base spirit. Regardless, though, fans of easier drinking sherried malts will find a lot to like.

 Whisky and glass

In conclusion, Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky is a delightful addition to the world of whisky. Its unique blend of Taiwanese and Scottish techniques results in a whisky that is both familiar and innovative. Whether you’re a seasoned whisky connoisseur or just starting your whisky journey, this whisky is definitely worth trying.

 Kavalan distillery