Review: Kavalan LAN

Taiwan’s best-known distillery, Kavalan is well regarded for its premium expressions, some of which can fetch $1000 or more. For something a bit more approachable and affordable, consider the distillery has released Kavalan LÁN Single Malt Whisky, which hits the shelf at a mere 80 bucks.

LÁN is a vatting of whisky aged in three different cask types — ex-bourbon barrels, Port, and STR (shaved, toasted, and recharred) white wine casks. There’s no age statement on the whisky.

As for the name:

LÁN was created as a tribute to Yilan, the birthplace of Kavalan, and to the orchid, lán hua in Mandarin, a symbol closely associated with Taiwan. The expression celebrates both the natural beauty and refined artistry that define its origin. Its name, also symbolizing the Chinese character for ‘orchid’ beautifully reflects the island’s revered standing as the Kingdom of Orchids. Illustrated on the bottle is the elegant Chinese calligraphy of ‘LÁN’ as the key visual, complemented by King Car Honey Peach orchid, an award-winning exclusive breed from the Orchid Farm owned by King Car, the same parent company as Kavalan. The packaging, which also features a rose-gold logo, symbolizes Kavalan’s founding spirit of innovation, deepening the whisky’s connection to its homeland.

Kavalan LAN Review

Spoiler: This is a big diversion from your typical single malt experience, and one which drinkers may find divisive.

Quite fruity up top, the whisky feels like it’s veritably rolling around in apple and blossom notes like a pig in mud. It’s perhaps an embarrassment of riches to contend with, as fresh apple turns into apple pie, and the fresh floral notes develop into a hefty potpourri perfume. The longer this sits in glass, the fruitier and sweeter it gets.

The palate does not waver, and by the time I tucked into it in earnest, the throttle was all the way down on the sugary fruit bomb. Caramelized apple notes are impossible to ignore, with a mix of vanilla cake frosting, white chocolate, almond, and coconut all developing from there. The more flowery elements are relatively tamed here, veering toward incense as the finish builds — and which lasts for quite a while.

Hints of cinnamon inform a fadeout that reprises some of that apple pie character, again coming across as rather aggressively sweet — though not without its share of charm.

86 proof.

B / $80 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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