Country: Taiwan
Brand: Kavalan Conductor (King Car's Kavalan Distillery)
Type: Single Malt Whisky (Vatting of 8 Different Casks)
Age: NAS (Probably around 3 Years)
ABV: 46 %
Date: 12/07/2013
Colour: Golden Amber
Nose: In a Blind Tasting I could have easily identified this as a Bourbon. Clear tones of Syrup, Honey, Vanilla, Charred Oak, Coconut, Cinnamon, Toffee and Wood Polish. There's a pleasant Creamy, Buttery feeling to this Nose. The Alcohol is nicely blended in. To me 46% seems to be the perfect ABV for a good Single Malt. After a while in the glass the Fruity notes become more evident so take your time. I get Apple, Pear, Orange and Banana. These are coincidentally four of the most consumed fruits in the Netherlands. Hints of more exotic Fruit as well (Papaya-Cream). The Nose of the Conductor will not create a world revolution but is pleasant and well-balanced.
Palate: Less Sweet than expected. Quite Dry and Spicy actually with Cinnamon, Cloves and light Pepper. But also Malt, Honey, Butter, Orange, Banana, Pear, Oak, Nuts and a hint of Chocolate.
Finish: Middle-Long and Dry with Spices (Cloves, Pepper), Banana, Pear, Vanilla, Malt, Butter and Wood-Shavings.
I added a bit of Water and the Nose gets even more Fruit and Butter. Puff Pastry from Normandy filled with whole Pears! Palate and Finish do not change too much but you can certainly add a bit of Water to this Conductor!
Rating: 87
Nose: 22 - Taste: 22 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 22
General Remarks: The King Car's Kavalan distillery is a new and technically sophisticated facility, located in the city of Yuanshan on the Northern part of the island of Taiwan. King Car is Kavalan's parent company and is specifically mentioned on the label of the Conductor as this whisky is a showcase of the group.The Kavalan is named after an indigenous tribe that lived in the region where the distillery now stands. It was built in 2005/2006 and has a current production capacity of 6 million bottles per year. The Kavalan Whiskies are usually bottled after a relative short time in the casks. In the humid climate of Taiwan, the whiskies mature much faster. The Kavalan Conductor is not cheap at around 85 US Dollars.
Drinking Experience Neat: Very Good.
Conclusion: This is my first Kavalan and I must say that I'm impressed. Maybe not so much with the individual Aromas and Flavours as such. They are good but not exceptional. What I like most about this Conductor is its balance. Nose, Palate and Finish form an almost natural combo. That's what a good Conductor does with an Orchestra of course. Therefore the name of this whisky is a good and accurate choice by its makers. Congratulations to this young distillery. I'm looking forward to taste more Kavalan expressions.
Jan van den Ende July 2013
