Guide to Touring Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan

What You Need to Know about Touring Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan

Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: December 27, 2024

Kavalan Distillery, nestled in the mountainous landscapes of Yilan County, Taiwan, is a renowned Taiwanese whisky producer celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative approach to whisky making. Established in 2005, the distillery has gained global acclaim and welcomes up to one million visitors annually. Named after the indigenous Kavalan people who originally inhabited the region, the distillery offers a behind-the-scenes tour of Kavalan’s production process. This travel guide covers everything you need to know, from reserving a tour to tasting whisky, ensuring your visit is seamless and enriching.

General Information for Kavalan Distillery

A man in white in front of the Tasting Room — *Julius in front of the Tasting Room*

Currently, distillery tours are offered for free in Chinese, English, and Japanese. If you are interested in an English tour, then fill out the form here at least 7 days prior to your visit. You’ll receive an email confirmation notification about your reservation. Depending on the year, the tour time may vary, but when we went on a Monday, we attended the 11am tour, which was the only tour available that day.

There are additional activities that you can participate in. Please pay the fee at the counter of Kavalan Garden Hall on the day of your visit. See the table below for details:

Type	Fee	Duration	Times Offered
Whisky Tasting	Kavalan offers different tasting sets. Please refer to the set menu for details.	30 minutes	10:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
DIY Bending	Each 300ml bottle will cost NT$1,800.	40 minutes	10:10am, 11:10am, 1:10pm, 2:10pm, 3:10pm, 4:10pm

Time Needed: 1.5 hours

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ptmxXu2nTCVqfaHBA

What to Expect on the Kavalan Distillery Tour

The English Guided Tour lasts 30 minutes and offers an engaging introduction to the whisky-making process. Equipped with a microphone, the tour guide ensures clear communication, even from a distance. During the tour, you’ll gain insights into the whisky production process and see the specialized equipment used in crafting this iconic spirit. Here’s a glimpse of what you can look forward to:

Ingredients

Maturation

An information panel showing the critical role for whisk maturing — *Maturing Information Panel*

Equipment

*Kavalan stillhouse with Forsyth Whisky Stills in the background and German Stills for Kavalan Gin in the Foreground.*

Aging Room

stacks of barrels on wooden platforms — *Barrel Aging Room*

Barrels on wooden X platforms — *Kavalan Barrels*

Tasting Room

An electronic sign showing the Kavalan Whisky for sale for tasting — *Tasting Menu*

4 glasses filled with Kavalan Whisky — *Kavalan Whiskey Flight*

After the tour, you’re welcome to purchase* a tasting flight in the tasting room. Julius and I, being whiskey enthusiasts, decided to sample all four whiskeys (NT $600). However, if you’d prefer a smaller experience, you can opt to order just one to get a taste.

*Please note: Your tasting tickets can be redeemed as a coupon for product purchase at the Gift Shop (located by the front entrance).

Enjoy Your Time in Taiwan

Taiwan offers an exciting mix of history, culture, and museums. I hope that you’ll find these tips to be useful when visiting the Kavalan Distillery Tour. Don’t hesitate to drop a comment to let us know what you think.

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