Third Kavalan warehouse nears completion

Taiwanese whisky producer Kavalan is set to increase its production capacity as its third maturation warehouse nears completion.

The new construction is now 75% finished, and will ‘significantly boost’ the distiller’s production capacity.

After the second distillery was commissioned in 2016, Kavalan’s production capacity grew to 10 million bottles per year, as the pairs of copper stills multiplied to 10.

YT Lee, CEO of King Car Group, the parent company of Kavalan, said: “In this exciting phase of Kavalan’s expansion, we’re blessed with the island’s subtropical climate, which not only helps age our whisky faster with enhanced complexity but also enables us to explore more experimental casks, unlocking greater possibilities for innovation in our whisky-making process.”

The new warehouse will combine palletised and dunnage warehouse styles. The biggest butts will be placed in dunnage style on higher floors, resting on their sides.

Small barrels will be placed upright and tightly strapped together on the lower floor to protect them from Yilan’s ‘notorious’ seismic activity.

There will be temperature control, except for the option to open windows and doors to increase air circulation.

Kavalan Distillery expects to see domestic and international tourism levels reach pre-pandemic levels of 800,000 visitors soon.

Earlier this year, the Taiwanese whisky maker revealed its sales in South Korea soared by 169% in 2022, driven by triple-digit gains in travel retail.

In February, Kavalan secured a listing with alcohol retailer Symposion to release four expressions in Sweden.