Kavalan has been spotlighted for its innovative distillery tours offering tourists a unique and memorable experience.
The "most innovative distillery tour" -- outside of LA -- can be found at the home of Kavalan whisky in Yilan, Taiwan according to Drinks International.
Kavalan Distillery, an hour's drive from the capital Taipei, sees a million visitors annually, and was awarded a "Highly Commended," in the 2019 Drinks Tourism Challenge for its breathtaking itineraries. They include:
image: photo credit @kavalanwhiskey Instagram
Kavalan CEO Mr. YT Lee said the core distillery tour and hourly tastings were free of charge in line with his ethos of sharing Kavalan distillery with the community.
He said his expectations of the tour was it told the full story of how Taiwan's first whisky came into being, as well as how it's made. "I want this to be an experience visitors will take away with them," he said.
Master Blender Ian Chang said there were plenty of extra opportunities to taste Kavalan in more depth. The customized Tasting Lounge has a luxury whisky bar, where expert guides will take visitors on a "taste journey" through a choice of four Kavalan expressions, depending on their preferred tastes and textures.
"And if visitors want to try their hand at my job, they can create their own whisky with a personalized label to take away from our DIY Blending Lab. With all this on offer, we look forward to seeing you at Kavalan distillery in 2019!" Mr. Chang said.
Recently in Whisky Magazine issues No.151 & 154 Tasting Section, Kavalan was "Recommended" for its Distillery Reserve Peaty Cask: "Another well turned out and balanced Taiwanese whisky. Great stuff indeed" and for its Solist, Manzanilla Sherry Cask: "Boom, sherry bomb heaven. A little water lengthens the notes but really is an ode to the love of sherry."
image: photo credit @kavalanwhiskey Instagram
Kavalan's Fino Sherry Cask Strength was also given 91 points by CigarsLovers Magazine -among the highest scores awarded - out of all the whiskies the publication has tasted over the past 12 months.
In the 2019 Annual Brand Report, Kavalan once again proved a strong favorite in both the Best Selling and Top Trending world whisky categories, according to Drinks International.
Kavalan has also won the Icons of Whisky Visitor Attraction award in 2011, 2013, etc.
* The turtle symbol resonates with Kavalan's own story sharing values like persistence and staying power. Kavalan also takes the old name for Yilan County.
image: photo credit @kavalanwhiskey Instagram
image: photo credit @amol_civil Instagram
Hsuehshan (Snowy Mountain) Tunnel has cut the journey time from Taipei to the northeastern county of Yilan down from two hours to one. Located in Yuanshan, Yilan, Kavalan Distillery was opened on Dec 4, 2008. The water drawn from the springs of the Snowy Mountain and Central Mountains imparts a smooth and creamy mouth feel to the whisky. Today, you are able to directly experience the process of making Kavalan whisky, and you can savor every dram either in the tasting area or in Mr. Brown Café in the Castle. The Orchid Farm close to the distillery is also a must-see for nature lovers and families.
The three itineraries offered by Kavalan Distillery are as follows. Visit the Kavalan website for more details on booking:
A - Yilan Yuanshan
2.5 Hours
Kavalan Distillery + Mr. Brown Castle Café + King Car Orchid Orchard
Company profile video (Convention Center): 15 minutes
Whisky production line with tour: 25 minutes
Tasting area in Castle: 20 minutes
Mr. Brown Castle Café: 50 minutes
King Car Orchid Orchard: 30 minutes
B - Yilan Jiao-Xi
2 Hours
King Car Jiao-Xi Orchid Farm + Mr. Brown Café, Jiao-Xi + King Car Shrimp Farm
King Car Jiao-Xi Orchid Farm: 30 minutes
Mr. Brown Café, Jiao-Xi: 1 hour
King Car Shrimp Farm: 30 minutes
C - Yilan Tou-Cheng
4 Hours
Mr. Brown Castle I + Windmill + Hiking Trail+ Mr. Brown Castle II
Mr. Brown Castle I
Windmill
Hiking Trail
Mr. Brown Castle II
I definitely do love my Whisky! And this place offers Free of Charge Tasting? Sign me up! I know where I'm going next time I'm in Taiwan
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic! You will enjoy its amazing distillery!
DeleteThis is surely a must-do thing. I was not aware of Kavalan before. But you have totally engaged me into this. I am surely going to take one of their itineraries up and visit this super cool distillery. To me, tour C seems more interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic! Free whiskey tasting is the best!
DeleteI've never visited a distillery, but this sounds like a really unique and fun experience! I will save this idea for when I visit Taiwan one day. I would be interested in booking one of these tours.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you find this itinerary very interesting. I will share more like this soon!
DeleteThat is certainly an interesting place for whiskey lovers. I would, what my friend would say, who is a whiskey collector.
ReplyDeleteWow you friend would be thrilled to have this experience!
DeleteKavalan distellery looks interesting and I would love to visit this place as it has beautiful surroundings. It is good we can DIY our own combinations and take that labeled whisky back home.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the unique drink experience you will ever have :D
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this. Now i know the first place I'll visit when i go to Taiwan this December
ReplyDeleteSkip the touristic place and head to Kavalan :D
DeleteI’ve never heard of this distillery. Sounds like they know a thing or 2 about what they are doing. Thanks for sharing a new whisky with me!!
ReplyDeleteHope you can visit Taiwan soon and avail this Kavalan tour!
DeleteI have never been to a distillery but your post has intrigued me. Time to find out if there is any in my vicinity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
DeleteWhenever I come to Taiwan will definitely plan to visit this place for share. Thanks for sharing the experience
ReplyDeleteYou are always welcome!
DeleteThis sounds like a really unique experience - having never been to a distillery before, this feels like something I must try!
ReplyDeleteThat's right! Even you are not a whiskey lover or drinker, you can still enjoy this kind of itinerary and learn the distillery business.
DeleteThis would be a cool place to see. I've never been to one before. I don't like whiskey, but it would still be neat to visit.
ReplyDeleteI am a wine drinker and only taste whiskey a few times, but this is a great experience! And not all visit this place like regular tourists does.
DeleteI have never visited a distillery before. But now you definitely made me curious! Sounds so interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cristina!
DeleteThat is so cool that they offer free of charge tasting. Would love to return to Asia and discover what else Taiwan has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI think this unique itinerary will give travelers a new perspective about whiskey business and drink tourism.
DeleteI have been to wineries, I have been to gin distilleries, I have been to breweries... but I have never visited a whiskey distillery! I'd love to go to Kavalan, discover their product and take one of their suggested tours.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful! I bet you will enjoy the tour, Joanna :D
DeleteI have never been to a distillery but few of my friends did and they loved it! it must be so cool to see the drink being made!
ReplyDeleteYes, and not all have the opportunity to see it!
DeleteI now know how they make whisky. It reminds me of the beer places that I went to as a kid.
ReplyDeleteHope you can visit Taiwan in the future!
DeleteWow this is such a fun activity to do! I love to do this type of stuff with my husband. Seems interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteXo
Candace
Http://www.thebeautybeau.com
Thank you Candace for visiting my blog!
DeleteI love visiting distilleries, breweries and wineries. I love the idea of blending our own whiskey and then taking it home with your own label, what a great idea. This is one tour I would definitely love to do.
ReplyDeleteAnother experience I want is the perfume tour!
DeleteThis is definitely a tour my husband would love, he is the whiskey drinker in our family
ReplyDeleteWell. I like drinking and I like unique adventures, so it seems I can have a bit of both with this!
ReplyDeleteCurrently, what is your favorite drink?
DeleteOoh I have never heard of this before either! It's not somewhere I have ever thought about going to visit but sounds really interesting!
ReplyDeleteHave you been to Taiwan? If not, then add this to your future trips!
DeleteI wish I was into whiskey but I would absolutely accompany my fiance who is a whiskey FANATIC on a tour. It would make his day to be able to blend his own whiskey. I can just imagine him swirling, sipping, and thinking to make the whiskey just right.
ReplyDeleteThis tour could be a PERFECT GIFT for your fiancé!
DeleteI would love to go to Taiwan and visit this distillery. Travel bucketlist goals!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great news!
DeleteBlend some whiskies, taste more, drink Taiwanese coffee? Now what whisky lover would want to miss that? Sounds just perfect!
ReplyDeleteBook your tickets now!
DeleteI would love to blend my own whiskey! What a unique opportunity. ^^Adding this to the bucket list
ReplyDeleteA perfect bachelor's activity as well!
DeleteI am not one for alcoholic drinks but that snow tunnel in Taiwan looks amazing. Is it easily accessible?
ReplyDeleteYes of course :D
DeleteI have never heard about distillerys before but this looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteA nice destination that is not allowed for kids. :D
DeleteMy husband loves visiting distilleries. We went to one last year. It was pretty interesting.
ReplyDeleteAdd this to your itinerary!
DeleteDIY blending lab sounds so cool! I am not a huge distillery person but I'd love to check them out!
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to drink, just experience the tour and have fun and absorb the knowledge.
DeleteWow i see tunnel picture of your post, is great picture. thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks Abu!
DeleteI never would have thought to do a distillery tour in Taiwan, but now it's on my list!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! This is another experience for you!
DeleteIt is pretty awesome they allow guests to create their own take home blend.
ReplyDeleteI know right! Soon-to-be married couple can attend this event and blend their own whiskey for their parties!
DeleteA simple if not comprehensive placard tour of the distilling processes involved in making whisky. We did not book ahead and as such did not have an English tour guide. You are able to walk through a corridor with windows for viewing a number of the steps. Each step is well explained on placards. Be sure to time when you exit in order to enjoy a sip of whiskey at the tasting/sniffing building. A brief explanation of how to imbibe whisky followed by the smelling of various whisky samples produced on site
ReplyDeleteOMG You experienced it!
DeleteI'm more of a wine drinker, than whiskey, but my partner adores the stuff. Will remember this distillery if we ever make it to Taiwan!
ReplyDeleteExcellent Lisa!
DeleteI'm not normally a huge whiskey person but this sounds amazing... especially the DIY lab where you make your own. I could get around it for the day!
ReplyDeleteYou can attend and blend your own, plus good as a gift!
DeleteHow fun! I know my husband would especially love to do these whiskey tastings. Each of the tours of the distillery look really interesting. This would make for a great day out!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can gift this to your hubby!
DeleteI truly enjoyed your detailed journey for enjoying this fine whiskey. The Kavalan Distillery seems to be a tourist spot for Whiskey lovers!
ReplyDeleteAnd it is a crowd-controlled itinerary, and no fuss.
DeleteWow visitors can blend their own whisky, that's amazing. Thanks for the solid info!
ReplyDeleteI’d love to check out all these distillerys
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
DeleteI lived in Scotland, and it took me a few years to appreciate whiskey! Now I live in Kentucky, and I appreciate Bourbon and whiskey! Beautiful photos! Love the blog! www.theglennygirl.com
ReplyDeleteAs a big whisky fa, I really appreciate this recommendation. Blending your own whisky sounds like an awesome experience! My favorite part: free of charge tasting! Sounds awesome, thank you for sharing this post.
ReplyDeleteHi Daniel! You can bring your squad here!
DeleteOhhh such a pity for me. I haven’t been to this place the last time I visited Taiwan.I will surely go there next time. Thanms for this!
ReplyDeleteYou should book next time!
DeleteI'm not big on drinking but a few of my friends like to. I'll definitely recommend this to them!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can gift them a tour with Kavalan!
DeleteWhat a wonderful place to mix your own whisky. I don't like whisky but I have friends who do. I pass the info to them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Aisasami!
DeleteIt's amazing they let you DIY your own and take it back with you. This place sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt is fantastic tour!
DeleteWhiskey has became much more of a enjoyable drink in the last few years, and I am seeing a lot of distilleries that are offering tours of the place, for people that want to see how it is made. These three all look nice and you get too see a lot of places, so one more thing that tourists can do when they visit Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteThey can make a whole new experience to their clients and fans thus, making whiskey a new favorite drink!
DeleteI would love to take a tour at this distillery and have some whiskey what a great time we would have. Keshia Richmond
ReplyDeleteIts unique, not crowded and you can learn so much.
DeleteI've never been to a distillery. What an interesting process!
ReplyDeleteYes and I would love to partake to this tour!
DeleteI've tried a lot of whiskys but never been to a distillery before. Sounds like a great experience especially being able to blend your own concoction - that sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteWould be a perfect boys' exclusive tour!
DeleteFree whiskey tasting? Sign me up!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat info here. Free whiskey tasting sounds good. Great idea for whiskey lovers. Never been to a distillery before.
ReplyDeleteYes this is heavenly for all whiskey lover and enthusiasts.
DeleteFirst I love the tunnel picture, its quiet something! I can just imagine going through the tunnels!! Free whiskey?? Niceee...
ReplyDeleteHope you can visit Taiwan soon!
DeleteThis is something that I definitely would like to experience. Who wouldn't want that occasional fine drink?
ReplyDeleteReading about your experience at a distillery is completely new to me. It looks like you had an incredible experience while you were there.
ReplyDeleteLove whiskey! I would do this in without a question if I was in Taiwan!
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't drink, this sounds like the kind of tour and visit that everyone would enjoy. The photos look fascinating and it could be quite the educational experience too.
ReplyDeletehope you add Taiwan to your next travel in Asia.
DeleteInterested in that free whiskey test. There should be something special if that much visits on everyday. Hope I could try it once. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of personalising your own whiskey. Adding this to what to visit in Taipei list for sure!
ReplyDeleteYeah and you can use them as gifts!
DeleteThis is an interesting place to visit in Taiwan. I'd recommend it if someone going to Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah!
DeleteI occasionally drink, but haven't been to any distillery before and reading your post has given me an interest. Anyway, I would love to give myself a try to take a quick look what's inside the distillery one of these days. Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteYou are always welcome dear!
DeleteGoing on these tours is so fun. I remember going to the Guinness Beer Factory in Ireland and loved it. Would be nice to try this one next!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it soon Florentina!
DeleteFree tasting? I am IN:) I wish it was wine because I am more of champagne, wine lover but I would not say no LOL
ReplyDeletexo
Sharka
http://www.thechicvibe.com
Hahaha I'm a wine lover too!
Delete