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Kavalan Distillery's Itineraries - Highly Recommended

Kavalan Distillery's whichkey tour itinerary
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:

Free-of-charge tasting of Kavalan whisky every hour on the hour in the dramatic Spirits Castle and double-ceilinged Great Hall.

DIY Blending Lab where visitors can blend their own personalised whisky and take home an individually labeled bottle.

The rugged Scenic Yilan Coast where Siberian winter winds contribute to Kavalan's extended oxidation period and unique ageing process.

Kavalan Cooperage a corridor in plain view from the exterior offering glimpses of skilled coopers carrying out procedures such as Kavalan's groundbreaking Shaving, Toasting and Recharring technique, fundamental to the Solist Vinho Barrique, the 2015 World Whiskies Award's "World's Best Single Malt".

The hugely popular Mr. Brown coffee shop, looking down on the Great Hall, where entire meals are served as well as two delicious versions of the "Taiwanese Coffee"  -- Kavalan's take on the "Irish Coffee".

King Car Mr. Brown Castle perched atop a cliff with unforgettable views of Yilan's natural emblem, Turtle Island,* an active volcano. Kavalan's water source, Snow Mountain's mineral-rich water, is naturally filtered through Yilan's rich volcanic soil producing Kavalan's signature fruitiness.

King Car Orchid Orchard where visitors can taste our whiskies among the hundreds of orchids, the local inspiration for Kavalan's floral notes.





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






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116 comments :

  1. 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

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    1. That's fantastic! You will enjoy its amazing distillery!

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  2. This 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.

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    1. That's fantastic! Free whiskey tasting is the best!

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  3. I'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.

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    1. I am glad you find this itinerary very interesting. I will share more like this soon!

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  4. That is certainly an interesting place for whiskey lovers. I would, what my friend would say, who is a whiskey collector.

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    1. Wow you friend would be thrilled to have this experience!

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  5. Kavalan 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.

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    1. This is one of the unique drink experience you will ever have :D

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing this. Now i know the first place I'll visit when i go to Taiwan this December

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  7. I’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!!

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    1. Hope you can visit Taiwan soon and avail this Kavalan tour!

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  8. I have never been to a distillery but your post has intrigued me. Time to find out if there is any in my vicinity.

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  9. Whenever I come to Taiwan will definitely plan to visit this place for share. Thanks for sharing the experience

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  10. This sounds like a really unique experience - having never been to a distillery before, this feels like something I must try!

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    1. That's right! Even you are not a whiskey lover or drinker, you can still enjoy this kind of itinerary and learn the distillery business.

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  11. This 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.

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    1. I 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.

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  12. I have never visited a distillery before. But now you definitely made me curious! Sounds so interesting!

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  13. That is so cool that they offer free of charge tasting. Would love to return to Asia and discover what else Taiwan has to offer.

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    Replies
    1. I think this unique itinerary will give travelers a new perspective about whiskey business and drink tourism.

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  14. I 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.

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    1. That is wonderful! I bet you will enjoy the tour, Joanna :D

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  15. I 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!

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  16. I now know how they make whisky. It reminds me of the beer places that I went to as a kid.

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  17. Wow this is such a fun activity to do! I love to do this type of stuff with my husband. Seems interesting. Thanks for sharing.

    Xo
    Candace
    Http://www.thebeautybeau.com

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  18. I 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.

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  19. This is definitely a tour my husband would love, he is the whiskey drinker in our family

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  20. Well. I like drinking and I like unique adventures, so it seems I can have a bit of both with this!

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  21. Ooh I have never heard of this before either! It's not somewhere I have ever thought about going to visit but sounds really interesting!

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    1. Have you been to Taiwan? If not, then add this to your future trips!

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  22. I 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.

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    1. This tour could be a PERFECT GIFT for your fiancé!

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  23. I would love to go to Taiwan and visit this distillery. Travel bucketlist goals!

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  24. Blend some whiskies, taste more, drink Taiwanese coffee? Now what whisky lover would want to miss that? Sounds just perfect!

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  25. I would love to blend my own whiskey! What a unique opportunity. ^^Adding this to the bucket list

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  26. I am not one for alcoholic drinks but that snow tunnel in Taiwan looks amazing. Is it easily accessible?

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  27. I have never heard about distillerys before but this looks interesting!

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    1. A nice destination that is not allowed for kids. :D

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  28. My husband loves visiting distilleries. We went to one last year. It was pretty interesting.

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  29. DIY blending lab sounds so cool! I am not a huge distillery person but I'd love to check them out!

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    1. You don't need to drink, just experience the tour and have fun and absorb the knowledge.

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  30. Wow i see tunnel picture of your post, is great picture. thank you

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  31. I never would have thought to do a distillery tour in Taiwan, but now it's on my list!

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  32. It is pretty awesome they allow guests to create their own take home blend.

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    1. I know right! Soon-to-be married couple can attend this event and blend their own whiskey for their parties!

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  33. A 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

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  34. I'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!

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  35. I'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!

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    1. You can attend and blend your own, plus good as a gift!

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  36. How 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!

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  37. I truly enjoyed your detailed journey for enjoying this fine whiskey. The Kavalan Distillery seems to be a tourist spot for Whiskey lovers!

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    1. And it is a crowd-controlled itinerary, and no fuss.

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  38. Wow visitors can blend their own whisky, that's amazing. Thanks for the solid info!

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  39. I’d love to check out all these distillerys

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  40. I 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

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  41. As 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.

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  42. Ohhh 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!

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  43. I'm not big on drinking but a few of my friends like to. I'll definitely recommend this to them!

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  44. What 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.

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  45. It's amazing they let you DIY your own and take it back with you. This place sounds wonderful!

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  46. Whiskey 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.

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    1. They can make a whole new experience to their clients and fans thus, making whiskey a new favorite drink!

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  47. I would love to take a tour at this distillery and have some whiskey what a great time we would have. Keshia Richmond

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    1. Its unique, not crowded and you can learn so much.

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  48. I've never been to a distillery. What an interesting process!

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  49. I'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.

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  50. Great info here. Free whiskey tasting sounds good. Great idea for whiskey lovers. Never been to a distillery before.

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    1. Yes this is heavenly for all whiskey lover and enthusiasts.

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  51. First I love the tunnel picture, its quiet something! I can just imagine going through the tunnels!! Free whiskey?? Niceee...

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  52. This is something that I definitely would like to experience. Who wouldn't want that occasional fine drink?

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  53. Reading about your experience at a distillery is completely new to me. It looks like you had an incredible experience while you were there.

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  54. Love whiskey! I would do this in without a question if I was in Taiwan!

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  55. Even 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.

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  56. Interested 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.

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  57. Love the idea of personalising your own whiskey. Adding this to what to visit in Taipei list for sure!

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  58. This is an interesting place to visit in Taiwan. I'd recommend it if someone going to Taiwan.

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  59. I 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.

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  60. Going 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!

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  61. Free tasting? I am IN:) I wish it was wine because I am more of champagne, wine lover but I would not say no LOL
    xo
    Sharka
    http://www.thechicvibe.com

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