Taiwanese Single Malt Wins At World Whiskies Awards

The 2015 World Whiskies Awards took place this weekend in the U.K., and the prize for the best single malt whisky went to a distillery from Taiwan.

According to Shanghaiist, Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique from the King Car distillery in Taiwan is produced in American oak barrels that previously held red and white wines. This year it defeated whiskies from Scotland, Japan, Ireland, France, Sweden, South Africa, Australia, and the U.S. to take the prize for best single malt whisky of 2015. 

According to the World Whiskies Awards website, the Kavalan whisky has "lots of stewed fruits on the nose. There's also aged Bourbon notes. Water brings out custard creams. Surprisingly smooth on the palate. The alcohol is very present. It's like Bourbon infused milk chocolate."

Kavalan is a relatively young distillery. Its first bottles went on sale in 2008, and they have generally been regarded well and have received a number of awards. Four other whiskies from the distillery also won prizes at the World Whiskies Awards this year.