What comes into your mind when you think of fine whiskey? Is it hundred-year-old distillery in Scotland, or a Japanese brand featuring perfectionism? In fact, a Taiwanese brand has secretly become a dark horse in whiskey awards worldwide and gained its fame in the industry. Kavalan, owned by the King Car Group, is named after the indigenous group Kavalan originally hibituated in Yilan, where the distillery is located. Thanks to a humid subtropical climate in Yilan, Kavalan took the world of spirits industry by storm within a decade of its establishment.

For anyone who’s fond of whiskey or looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Taiwan, Kalavan distillery is on your list!

Getting There

Take any of the coaches that go from Taipei Terminal Station to Yilan Terminal Station. It takes approximately 40 to 60 minutes depending on the traffic. Once arrived at Yilan Terminal Station, change to a taxi or Uber. Local drivers are generally familiar with the route from the station to the distillery and it would cost less than NT$100 each for a group of four. Alternatively, take the local bus 752 to Kavalan station if you prefer public transport. However, do note that Yilan is not as convenient as Taipei and the wait may be up to an hour during off-peak hours.

Guided Tour

Kavalan operates free Taiwanese tours on a daily basis. While free English tours, as well as other languages, are available, make sure you make a reservation beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Link to reservation: http://www.kavalanwhisky.com/EN/visit-distillery-tour.aspx

Upon Arrival

Source: @KavalanWhisky

After arrival, find the building Convention Center. The guided tour starts in a briefing room there with a short video of the history of the parent company King Car Group and how they got involved with whiskey business. Right next to the briefing room is a gallery with Taiwan-themed paintings collected by King Car Group. It is worth a visit if you have time to spare before the tour.

Around the Distillery

Source: Pixabay

After the clip, your guide will show you the way to the distillery. It is quite a pleasant path as the whole area is not only built for whiskey distillery but also to grow greens and orchid flowers! You may also find stories and arts on used barrels along the way too.

The Distillery

Source: @KavalanWhisky

Greeted by the strong whiskey aroma upon entering the distillery, you’ll get to learn how Kavalan turns barleys and water into world-class whiskey! Seeing is believing! Watch the distillation through glass windows. Feel and smell the barleys and various types of barrels that are used to make different labels of whiskey. This will give you a better understanding of how whiskey is made. You’ll also get to see hundreds of barrels lined up in the storage room and how they get to be bottled and why they are sold at various labels and prices.

No spoiler alert; I’ll leave the details to your tour guide for fun’s sake.

Tasting & Blending

Source: @KavalanWhisky

All tours end with a free tasting. Visitors get free samples to sip on, plus smell different labels of whiskeys from the distillery.

If you’d like to bring home a souvenir of your own signature blend, sign up for a blending session. Most of my friends are quite happy with the free tasting alone. But, if you’re a whiskey drinker like me, who’d like to have your own signature bottle, go for a blending session!

Sign up: http://www.kavalanwhisky.com/EN/visit-diy-bartending.aspx

Afternoon Tea

Source: @KavalanWhisky

The tour takes about an hour, including tasting. If you’re in no hurry to head back to Taipei, take a tea break at the coffee shop in the Castle next to the distillery.

Before Kavalan made its fame, its parent company King Car Group was most famous for the coffee brand Mr. Brown. They may not make the best coffee or food in Taiwan, but they definitely take the advantage of Kavalan and you can see some twist of coffee and whiskey mixes on the menu that is worth a try, such as a whiskey-flavored latte and ice cream. Plus, the view from the Castle will carry away the hustles and bustles of your travel.

Tips

-       If you’re a whiskey fanatic like me, check out the gift shop. Retail prices of Kavalan outside of Taiwan could go double or even triple. Believe me, I once saw a pub in Edinburgh selling it at £65 for one glass!

-       If you enjoy collecting whiskey as a luxury, ask for the distillery-reserved collection.

-       The only downside of the distillery I could think of is the closing time. It closes around five in the afternoon. So, be sure to make it on time and do not expect any pub activities in the evening there!