Taiwan’s Kavalan Solist Single Malt Whiskies Sweep Best Of The Best At Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2020

Taiwan’s Kavalan Solist single malt Whiskies took home the top three slots at the Best of the Best portion of the 2020 Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition. Kavalan’s Solist Vinho Barrique came out ranked number one over the course of the gruelling blind tasting.

To find the best single malt Whisky on the planet, 128 single malts were whittled down to the best 14 contenders, which were assessed again by 13 select judges.

Here are the final rankings:

TWSC2020 Best of the Best Top 10 Single Malts

1. Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique (Best of the Best)
2. Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask
3. Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Cask
4. The Essence of Suntory Whisky Yamazaki Distillery Refill Sherry Cask
5. Komagatake 1991 28 Years Old Single Cask No.160
6. The Essence of Suntory Whisky Yamazaki Distillery Montilla Wine Cask
7. Tomatin 30 Years Old
8. Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry
9. Glenfiddich 21 Years Old
10. Glenfiddich 18 Years Old Small Batch Reserve

That wasn’t it for the Taiwanese distillery, as it also won “World Distillery of the Year” and “World Single Malt – NAS” for its Solist Oloroso Sherry.

“We are honoured to have been judged in this way by the prestigious Japanese whisky industry,” said Kavalan CEO Mr. Y.T. Lee said.

Mamoru Tsuchiya, Chair of the TWSC Executive Committee, said: “This year’s results once again represent a strong showing from Taiwan… Taiwan has demonstrated their whisky-making prowess.”

Here is the complete list of awards won by Kavalan at the 2020 Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition:

Best of the Best

• Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

Best World Distillery of the Year

• Kavalan Distillery

World Single Malt Whisky Category Winner – NAS

• Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry

3 Superior Gold

• Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique
• Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon
• Kavalan Solist 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 Solist Fino Sherry
• Kavalan Solist Port

Judges were selected from an elite group of Masters of Whisky, Whisky instructors, famous bartenders from throughout Japan, spirits industry importers, sellers, makers, and journalists.

Kavalan Distillery in Yilan County has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky in Taiwan since 2005.