Kavalan wurde bei der IWC 2026 zum zweiten Mal in Folge zum „Whisky des Jahres" gekürt
Kavalan has won the title of "Whisky of the Year" at the International Whisky Competition (IWC) for the second consecutive year, with its Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky receiving a score of 96.97 points. Last year, the Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry also claimed the top spot globally. The distillery achieved eight placements among the top 15 whiskies in the 2026 competition. Zerose Yang, the head of the Research and Development department, was also named "Master Distiller of the Year," recognizing the consistency and outstanding performance of the Kavalan team.
The Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask is made from lightly peated malt and aged in Oloroso sherry casks. It is part of the Peatist series from Kavalan, which explores the harmony between delicate peat smoke and the characteristic subtropical maturation profile of the distillery.
Tasting notes for the winning whisky were provided by Octavio Bernal, Master of Scotch at the Council of Whiskey Masters: "On the nose, notes of oily leather, an earthy tea blend, and a hint of anise emerge, followed by grilled mango, light ash, and a touch of white pepper. On the palate, chocolate-covered raisins, juicy figs, and a subtle smoky barbecue note come to the forefront. The finish lingers with notes of dark leather, juicy cassis, and lightly roasted cocoa nibs."
YT Lee, Chairman of the King Car Group, stated, "At Kavalan, our consistent pursuit of breakthroughs and innovations is at the heart of our actions. Each award reflects the passion and commitment of our entire team. We are honored that our dedication continues to be recognized by the world's most prestigious whisky competitions, inspiring us to explore new possibilities for Taiwanese single malt."
Max A. Solano, Director of the International Whisky Competition, commented, "Kavalan has achieved a rare feat by winning the title of 'Whisky of the Year' at one of the industry's most challenging blind tasting competitions for two consecutive years. The Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask stood out for its exceptional depth, balance, and complexity." The IWC utilizes one of the most stringent double-blind tasting processes in the industry, evaluating each submission impartially. With this latest recognition, Kavalan has now won eleven "World's Best" titles in the past eleven years, along with eight "Master Distiller/Distillery of the Year" awards and over 1,000 international gold medals.
The Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask is now available in Taiwan and selected international markets, including France, Canada, Germany, the Czech Republic, China, and Hong Kong, with more markets expected to follow.