The family-owned distillery was founded in 2005 by the Lee family which owns conglomerate King Car Group. With over 2000 employees, King Car runs diverse businesses such as household brand Mr. Brown canned coffee across several fields including biotechnology and aquaculture. Their first single malt whisky release was in 2008.
Kavalan, which means "flatland people", is named after the indigenous people of Yilan Province. Yilan was chosen for its proximity to the cold spring water of Snow Mountain and the Pacific breezes. The subtropical heat and high humidity of Yilan cause an accelerated maturation ensuring a rich complex whisky in just a few years. The whisky is aged in predominantly American white Oak, as this is considered the best wood for maturation in tropical climates due to its tighter grain.
