Kavalan, the Taiwanese whisky producer, has collaborated with Japanese contemporary artist Takahide Komatsu on the label design for its latest Mizunara Oak whisky collection. The limited release brings together rare Mizunara oak-matured whiskies and original artwork inspired by Taiwan’s native butterflies.
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READ THE STORYThe collection comprises two single cask strength expressions. One is produced from unpeated malt, while the other uses peated malt. Each bottle features specially commissioned artwork by Komatsu depicting twelve butterfly species native to Taiwan.
“At Kavalan, we believe whisky making shares a natural connection with artistic creation,” said YT Lee, chairman of King Car Group. “Mizunara oak is one of the rarest and most demanding casks in whisky making. Its rarity lies not only in the exceptional skill required to craft each cask, but also in the time it takes for the trees to mature.”
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Lee added: “In Kavalan’s subtropical climate, Mizunara oak develops a character shaped by Taiwan’s unique maturation conditions. Through Takahide Komatsu’s butterfly artwork, this release also celebrates the richness of Taiwan’s natural world.”
Mizunara oak grows in the cool forests of northern Japan. The trees often require more than a century before they can be crafted into casks. Its porous grain structure makes coopering extremely difficult, contributing to the rarity of Mizunara casks.
When Kavalan new make spirit matures in Mizunara oak within Taiwan’s warm, humid climate, the whisky develops notes of sandalwood, incense and coconut alongside the distillery’s characteristic tropical fruit aromas.
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According to the official notes from the brand, the unpeated expression carries a deep amber color, with vanilla and fresh coconut on the nose, and creamy toffee and soft oak on the palate.
The peated malt expression shows a reddish amber color. Gentle peat smoke meets sandalwood and vanilla, followed by soft peat and light spice on the palate.
Both expressions are presented in 700ml bottles.
In Taiwan, the collection is offered as a Classic Single Bottle Edition and a limited Hand-painted Collector’s Double Set, featuring labels individually hand-painted and signed by Komatsu.
The collection is available through Kavalan’s official channels in Taiwan, including the Kavalan Distillery Shop, Kavalan Whisky Shops, Kavalan Whisky Bar, and select local liquor stores.
Kavalan Distillery in Yilan County has been producing single malt whisky in Taiwan since 2005.
