Tasting notes·Kavalan

Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask (2021)

Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask (2021) positions itself as a link between the standard bottlings and the single cask bottlings of the Taiwanese distillery. Matured in Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel sherry casks, this single malt clearly focuses on a rich, sherry-driven profile. The design also points to its origin: the silver lines under the cork represent the mountain ranges around the distillery, while the water filtered through volcanic rock used forms the background of this bottling.

The panel

Marcel
83
Sascha
80

Mean 81.5 · spread 3

Value for money 2/5

Distillery
Kavalan
Type
Single Malt
Country
Taiwan
Strength
40% ABV
Character
rich

Tasting

Nose

On the nose, the sherry cask is immediately present and clearly shapes the first impression. Added to this are caramel-like notes, oaky-woody accents, and a slightly perfumed character that gives the whisky a distinctive contour. Nutmeg and anise add spicy highlights, while the overall impression appears both elegant and powerful.

Palate

On the palate, there is a long sweetness of dried fruits that defines the opening and transitions directly into caramelized apple. A slight citrus acidity brings tension before almond, spicy clove, and dark chocolate deepen the profile. Texture and weight are nicely creamy and full-bodied, which fittingly supports the rich character.

Finish

The finish is medium-long, heavy, and marked by a slightly bitter, oaky note. Spicy, tingling impulses remain on the palate and combine with hints of burnt caramel. As a result, the whisky fades out with character and noticeable sherry spice.

Verdicts

Marcel

For 40 % vol., this is a surprisingly stable and aromatically present bottling. The aromas come through clearly and deliver a convincing sherry profile. However, the asking price seems difficult to understand for a NAS whisky with 40 % vol.

Sascha

The whisky combines power and elegance in a successful way. Sweetness and spiciness are exactly the elements one hopes for from a sherry-matured malt, and they result in a coherent overall package. For a bottling with 40 % vol., it clearly ranks among the stronger representatives of recent times.

What it is worth

No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.

Source

Tasting note and scores by WHISKY:EDITION — tasted by Marcel and Sascha, published 2026-03-21.