Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1 Review: 'Elegant and Sweet'

With the Distillery Select range, the distillery doesn’t quite do what you might expect. The name hints at a special cask selection and a deep, complex expression. Instead, this is the whisky Kavalan describes as an approachable and versatile entry-level dram. In this Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1 Review, you’ll find out just how versatile it is.

Since 2005, the Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan has been making a serious mark worldwide with quality single malts. Taiwanese whisky is known for its smoothness and fruity character. That’s largely thanks to the warm climate combined with steady winds, the clear and pure Snow Mountain meltwater used for distillation, and the sherry and wine casks employed for maturation.

Like most distilleries, Kavalan usually shares which casks are used for maturation. Take the Kavalan Podium, for instance, aged in American oak and Kavalan refill casks, or the Distillery Select No. 2, which rested mainly in ex-bourbon barrels.

Curiously, they don’t do that for the first release in this approachable series. The only detail available is that a large proportion of sherry casks were used. It’s not even specified what kind of sherry casks the whisky matured in. The packaging does, however, list the tasting notes and mentions that it’s crafted from “a selection of outstanding casks.”

Like many Kavalan expressions, Distillery Select No. 1 comes in a tall bottle. It looks premium, with straight lines along the sides that give it a sleek, elegant profile. The cork features a simple image of a classic car, a nod to where Kavalan whisky really comes from: King Car Distillery. It’s a fun touch that whisky geeks will especially appreciate.

Otherwise, it’s a clean, understated bottle that lets the amber liquid do the talking. The brand name is printed in white on the front, with little more than a small label offering concise details about the dram in hand. The back is much the same. A transparent label provides brief information while keeping the whisky front and center.

Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1 surprises on the nose. The dark amber color suggests a heavier aroma, yet the whisky opens with light notes of tobacco alongside sweet hints of plum, mango, and banana, later joined by a touch of caramel.

On the palate, it feels predominantly dry. Caramel returns here, joined by fruity notes like cherry, a touch of oak tannin, and some spice. As you move toward the short to medium finish, the fruit recedes, leaving a gentle spiciness that eventually fades.

Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1 isn’t an overly complex expression, but that’s not the aim of the range. This whisky is designed for those who want an easy-going pour, and on that front, the mission is more than accomplished.

With Distillery Select No. 1, Kavalan delivers a whisky that’s both richly flavored and highly versatile. The dram is smooth and predominantly sweet, making it a great single malt for newcomers. Still, there’s enough layering in the flavors for more seasoned drinkers who want a bit more depth. For whisky veterans, this might not be the target expression, unless you harness that versatility in a great cocktail like a whisky sour.

+ Exceptionally versatile whisky

+ Soft and sweet, but not overly sugary

+ Well priced

- Why so secretive about the casks?

Want to read more of our reviews? Check out the overview on the reviews page.