This Rare Kavalan Lunar New Year Whisky Is Finally Coming to America for a Limited Time
Every winter to celebrate Lunar New Year, award-winning Taiwanese distillery Kavalan releases limited-edition gift sets, each featuring one of Kavalan’s beloved expressions.
Unfortunately, for drinkers in the United States, these gift sets are usually only available in other parts of the world. But this year, Kavalan is bringing its Year of the Horse Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Gift Set to the U.S.
Courtesy Kavalan
Kavalan initially debuted its award-winning Triple Sherry Cask expression in November 2021, then launched it in the U.S. in April 2024. Crafted with barley imported from Scotland and mineral-rich water sourced from Taiwan’s Snow Mountain, the whisky is then aged in casks that have held sherry—oloroso, Pedro Ximénez (PX) or moscatel. The mature whisky aged in these different types of barrels is then blended together to create this expression.
Given Taiwan's climate has intense heat and humidity, Kavalan’s whisky experiences accelerated maturation, so most of the brand’s expressions don’t carry high age statements.
“During this process, the flavors harmonize through a myriad combination of the three sherry cask whiskies, creating up to nine distinct sherry dimensions,” Kavalan senior blender Zerose Yang shared in a statement. “With the dried fruits of the oloroso cask as its main character, Triple Sherry is embellished with the sweetness of PX and moscatel casks.” The final product is bottled at 43 percent ABV in 700 ml bottles.
Unlike the standard bottling, the gift set packaging is emblazoned with red, gold, and white colors to represent the three sherry casks used to mature the whisky. To honor the holiday, the box and bottle in the gift set also feature an illustration of a golden horse stepping over blooming peonies, which, according to the brand, symbolizes vitality, good fortune, and prosperity. Additionally, each gift set comes with a branded tulip-shaped snifter glass.
Kavalan Triple Sherry CaskTasting Notes
Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask pours a deep scarlet hue and opens with a complex bouquet of citrus, dried fruits, chocolate, and toffee accented by hints of cinnamon, oak, and rosemary, according to the brand. A smooth yet energetic palate follows with top notes of candied fruit, honey, and caramel building upon its sherry-forward core. The finish reveals further flavors of charred oak, kumquat, and black tapioca.
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Kavalan Year of the Horse Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Gift Set Price & Availability
Kavalan’s Year of the Horse Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Gift Set will be available in select markets nationwide, as well as through its distributor’s bottle shop for a suggested retail price of $115.