Kavalan creates second STR whisky

Taiwanese producer Kavalan will release its second shaved, toasted and re-charred (STR) whisky in October, which will also be the distillery’s first peated expression.

Kavalan was the first distillery to use Swan’s now famous STR cask treatment

The second STR whisky from Kavalan will launch in Taiwan as part of a four-bottle Christmas set. The new make spirit used to make the whisky was distilled from peated barley.

Kavalan’s first STR whisky, Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength, is part of the distillery’s Solist series and is fully matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and re-charred.

Within the Solist range, Kavalan’s Solist Peaty Cask is a whisky with smoky characteristics, but is not peated.

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

“Now after years of experimenting, we sincerely hope the second STR whisky will pass on the excellent performance of Vinho, becoming the spotlight for whisky fans around the world,” said Kavalan CEO Yt Lee.

The STR technique was developed by the late Dr Jim Swan and Kavalan in Taiwan in 2006. The method for toasting and re-charring wine barrels removes the acidity associated with wine cask maturation and is said to enhance the depth of flavour possible in Taiwan’s subtropical climate.

The STR technique provides the resulting liquid with “bigger, bolder, fruitier flavours” along with “smoky malt aromas” from the peated spirit.

In May 2020, Kavalan created a second entry-level whisky as part of its Distillery Select Series.