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Kavalan combines art and whisky in new line
By Nicola CarruthersTaiwanese distiller Kavalan has launched a limited edition series of whiskies in collaboration with artist Paul Chiang.
Kavalan has partnered with Paul Chiang on the Artists Series
The new Kavalan Artists Series comprises of four single cask, cask strength whiskies: Puncheon, Virgin Oak, French Wine Cask, and Peated Malt.
Each expression is inspired by four elements that play a key role in the creation of Kavalan whisky – ocean, air, sunlight and earth.
The Taiwanese producer will release a total of 198 sets comprised of four 700ml bottles. Each set is individually numbered and comes with a signed edition of one of two silkscreen prints by Chiang – Pisilian or Mountain Range of Taiwan.
Furthermore, a total of 4,000 one-litre bottles will be released separately for purchase. Each whisky is bottled at between 50 to 63% ABV.
Chiang was chosen by Kavalan due to his work on ‘interpreting classical music and the natural beauty of Taiwan’.
Kavalan CEO YT Lee said: “Art, like whisky, has the power to stir deep emotion. But this takes decades of hard work and commitment to mastering your craft.
“Take Puncheon, which depicts the sea, sky, and stars. Paul painted this work after returning to Taiwan after 30 years, settling on the coast in Taitung. You can feel the euphoria of that time and the beauty of rediscovery.
“We want to bring together great art and our rarest whisky to connoisseurs an expression of the finest artistry. We are honoured to be collaborating with Paul on the inaugural edition.”
Puncheon was aged in Puncheon casks and has notes of ‘sweet toffee, white-fleshed nectarine, and tropical fruits and hints of rich nuttiness’.
Matured in virgin oak barrels, the Virgin Oak whisky has notes of spicy oak, sweet honey, autumn pear and chestnuts, ripened guava, and cinnamon spice on the palate.
Meanwhile, the French Wine Cask whisky was matured in Bordeaux red wine barrels. It has a ‘rich aroma with a full-bodied texture’ along with notes of ‘tropical fruit, wild berries, dried fruits, soft tannins, and subtle spice’.
Peated Malt offers ‘buttered toffee and peaty and earthy notes on a bed of red pepper, generous spice, and rich longan’ on the palate. Peated Malt is Kavalan’s second shaved, toasted, and recharred (STR) whisky, following Solist Vinho Barrique.
The Kavalan Artists Series is available to buy in Taiwan. Individual bottles will be priced at an RRP of NTD$12,000 (US$421) each.