<strong>A taste for each type: </strong>Produced in the Taiwan countryside and now available in 60 countries, Kavalan has won more than 220 international awards. The brand now produces 18 varieties of whisky.
A taste for each type: Produced in the Taiwan countryside and now available in 60 countries, Kavalan has won more than 220 international awards. The brand now produces 18 varieties of whisky.
Marian Liu/CNN
<strong>Home grown: </strong>Kavalan's distillery is located in the Taiwan countryside, about two hours away from Taipei, in the town of Yuanshan. It's open to visitors.
Home grown: Kavalan's distillery is located in the Taiwan countryside, about two hours away from Taipei, in the town of Yuanshan. It's open to visitors.
Kavalan
<strong>On Kavalan's success:</strong> "They said it was impossible," recalls Lee Yu-Ting, CEO of Kavalan's umbrella company, King Car Group.
On Kavalan's success: "They said it was impossible," recalls Lee Yu-Ting, CEO of Kavalan's umbrella company, King Car Group.
Marian Liu/CNN
<strong>Fermentation process:</strong> The Kavalan brand's most popular varieties are matured in sherry casks, making it particularly appealing for those making the leap from wine to whisky.
Fermentation process: The Kavalan brand's most popular varieties are matured in sherry casks, making it particularly appealing for those making the leap from wine to whisky.
Kavalan
<strong>Distillery DIY class: </strong>Visitors to the distillery can blend their own Kavalan whisky.
Distillery DIY class: Visitors to the distillery can blend their own Kavalan whisky.
Marian Liu/CNN
<strong>Distillery warehouse:</strong> Kavalan's 11-year-old operation hopes to produce 9 million liters in 2017.
Distillery warehouse: Kavalan's 11-year-old operation hopes to produce 9 million liters in 2017.
Kavalan
<strong>Preparing the barrels:</strong> Barrels are first shaved before being used to mature the whisky.
Preparing the barrels: Barrels are first shaved before being used to mature the whisky.
Marian Liu/CNN
<strong>Preparing the barrels: </strong>Next, they're toasted and charred.
Preparing the barrels: Next, they're toasted and charred.
Marian Liu/CNN
<strong>Distillery warehouse:</strong> The area's high temperatures (averaging 33 degree Celsius in the summer) and sweltering humidity accelerate the interaction of the liquor with the wood barrels. As a result the maturation process is cut down by a third, from four to six years versus the 15 or 25 years of its Scottish counterparts.
Distillery warehouse: The area's high temperatures (averaging 33 degree Celsius in the summer) and sweltering humidity accelerate the interaction of the liquor with the wood barrels. As a result the maturation process is cut down by a third, from four to six years versus the 15 or 25 years of its Scottish counterparts.
Kavalan
<strong>Copper stills: </strong>Kavalan uses copper stills as part of the whisky-making process.
Copper stills: Kavalan uses copper stills as part of the whisky-making process.
Marian Liu/CNN
<strong>Regional success: </strong>In recent years, Asia has become a hotspot for whisky distilling, with Kavalan joining Japan's Suntory and Nikka, plus India's Paul John and Amrut as market leaders.
Regional success: In recent years, Asia has become a hotspot for whisky distilling, with Kavalan joining Japan's Suntory and Nikka, plus India's Paul John and Amrut as market leaders.
Marian Liu/CNN