Reviewed by: TOModera

Hi, I’m TOModera, and today, I’m going to try and teach you what tiny things I can look up and type concerning a place I’ve never learned about.

For instance: Fun Fact: The Kavalan were a group of indigenous people who originally inhabited the Northeastern corner of Taiwan.

Now what the flaming hell does that have to do with whisky? Guess you’ll have to read on.

King Car Whisky Distillery is the creators of the Kavalan Concertmaster – Port Cask Finish, a young (Est. 2005) distillery located in Taiwan. Made with spring water from the Snow Mountain, this whisky is aged quickly due to the sub-tropical location of Taiwan.

Fun Fact: Taiwan was once named Formosa, which explains that word showing up randomly in JRPGs.

Frustratingly, this product has been priced so high in Ontario, that every single time I’ve considered buying it, the price has stopped me from doing so.

Fun Fact: I’m extremely frugal, and have trouble buying things randomly, especially around the holidays.

Wait, that… okay, let’s just keep moving on.

Fun Fact: I use the term “Moving on” to denote that I’ve gone off topic, and want to continue.

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Distillery: Kavalan Distillery.

Bottler: Distillery Bottling.

Region: Taiwan.

ABV: 40%.

Age: Unknown.

Cask type: Fresh, Refill Bourbon Casks and Port Casks to Finish.

Price: Currently not available in Ontario.

Color: Burgundy.

Fun Fact: A cheese from the Burgundy region is called Époisses de Bourgogne, a pungent unpasteurized cows-milk cheese that is smear-riped.

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Nose: Floral, plum, cloves, anise, oak

Okay, the Fun Facts are working again, so I can move along. This has a light floral note to it, however behind that is almost the start of a dark, port influence dram. Any fruitiness is still in the floral/honey stage.

Fun Fact: Honey was offered to the Fertility god of Egypt, Min, as an offering.

Oh crap…

Taste: Woody, licorice, blackberry, salt air, plum, blueberry

This is smooth, Really smooth, with just a little bit of bite from some purple fruits or tiny bits of anise. Almost too smooth. I like it though.

Fun Fact: Blackberries are an excellent source of of Vitamin C.

Come on! This is supposed to be about Taiwan!

Fun Fact: The Blackberry cell phones are now made in Taiwan.

That’s…. okay, that’s close enough.

Finish: Strawberry, vanilla, oak, burn, brine, earth

Again, almost like a sherry influence, slight amount of burn, and earthy. If I didn’t know better, I’d say this was Sherried, however it wasn’t, it was in port pipes. Thus the lack of spice. Nice flavour, though a little weak given the low Abv.

Fun Fact: Bitching about low Abv. all the time makes you sound like a ponce.

Ouch… Fun Facts is mean today.

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Conclusion: I liked this dram, and for something that’s young, from a new distiller, and low Abv, it holds its own quite nicely. I’d say the main weak points is lack of cohesive flavours or some burn, however for an entry whisky, they did very well.

Fun Fact: This isn’t over TOModera, we’ll be back….

Well, that was insane…

Final Score: 82.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.