Surprisingly and unexpectedly, Kavalan's soloist Vinho Barrique was chosen as the winner after an elaborate blind tasting by renowned Japanese jurors in search of the world's best single malt.
In order to find the "best of the best" at the Tokyo Whiskey & Spirits (TWSC) Competition, the best 14 candidates were screened out of 128 single malts, which in turn were evaluated by 13 selected jurors.
In the final scoring, Kavalan took first, second and third place.
Best of the Best Top 10 Single Malts of the TWSC2020
1. Kavalan Soloist Vinho Barrique (Best of the Best)
2. Kavalan Soloist Ex-Bourbon Cask
3. Kavalan Soloist Oloroso Sherry Cask
4. The Essence of Suntory Whiskey Yamazaki Distillery Refill Sherry Cask
5. Komagatake 1991 28 Years Old Single Cask No.160
6. The Essence of Suntory Whiskey Yamazaki Distillery Refill Sherry Cask
7. Tomatin 30 years
8. Kavalan Soloist Fino Sherry
9. Glenfiddich 21 years old
10. Glenfiddich 18 Years Small Batch Reserve
In addition, Kavalan received the "World Distillery of the Year" and "World Single Malt - NAS" awards for his soloist Oloroso Sherry.
CEO Y.T. Lee said the results were a great honor and totally unexpected.
"We are honored to have been judged this way by the respected Japanese whiskey industry," said Mr. Lee.
Mamoru Tsuchiya, Chairman of the TWSC Executive Committee, said: "This year's results are once again a strong achievement by Taiwan, as the Kavalan example shows - Taiwan has demonstrated its whiskey making skills."
With three of only eight whiskeys, Kavalan received the most Superior Golds that were awarded to individual whiskeys.
Best of the Best
- Kavalan soloist Vinho Barrique
Best World Distillery of the Year
- Kavalan Distillery
Category winner World Single Malt Whiskey - NAS
- Kavalan Soloist Oloroso Sherry
3 superior gold
- Kavalan soloist Vinho Barrique
- Kavalan Soloist Ex-Bourbon
- Kavalan Soloist Oloroso Sherry
8 gold
- Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish
- Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Finish
- Distillery Reserve Peaty Cask
- Distillery Reserve Rum Cask
- Kavalan King Car Conductor
- Kavalan Oloroso Sherry Oak
- Kavalan Soloist Fino Sherry
- Kavalan Soloist Port
The judges were selected from an elite group of Masters of Whiskey, whiskey trainers, famous bartenders from all over Japan, importers, sellers, manufacturers and journalists from the spirits industry.
Information about the Kavalan Distillery
The Kavalan Distillery in the Yilan District has been a pioneer in the art of producing single malt whiskey in Taiwan since 2005. Our whiskey, which ripens in intense humidity and heat, comes from the melt water of Snow Mountain and is refined by a cool sea and mountain breeze. All this together gives the characteristic creaminess of Kavalan. Our distillery, which bears the old name of the Yilan district, is based on around 40 years of experience in beverage production under the parent company King Car Group. We have won over 400 gold or higher awards in the most demanding competitions in the industry. Visit www.kavalanwhisky.com
