The Challenge

Kavalan is a renowned Taiwanese whisky distillery that has won many international awards for its whiskies. Kavalan’s single malt whiskies come in around 20 varieties, ranging in Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of at least 40% to 50-60%+ for its cask strength whiskies.

Tasting whiskies can be challenging, especially for those starting to learn whiskies.

1. High-proof alcohols can create a “burn” or “heat” sensation that can be overwhelming on the palate, especially one that is . This initial burn can completely obscure the subtle, complex flavors underneath. A new drinker might taste only ethanol and oak, missing the vanilla, fruit, or spice notes that an experienced taster can detect. It is an acquired taste where your brain learns to ignore the burn and search for the underlying flavors.
   
2. 加上威士忌本身風味譜系廣、香氣複雜，對味覺與嗅覺的刺激也更強烈。要在這樣豐富濃烈的風味中釐清結構與層次，如同在熱鬧交響樂中分辨單一樂器的聲響。

Is there a way to craft an alternative way to experience whisky that preserves the authenticity and complexity of Kavalan for both beginners and experts to enjoy?

What Elliot’s did

AI-powered new flavor development

Scientifically speaking, ice cream is the perfect canvas for experiencing all the nuances and subtleties of Kavalan whiskies. While it might seem unconventional, pairing Kavalan with ice cream is a fantastic and surprisingly effective way to taste and appreciate it. Ice cream moderates the whisky’s harshness while amplifying its best qualities. If you’re interested in learning more about why that’s the case, please read our blog post on why ice cream is the perfect canvas for experiencing whisky.

Even if the pairing makes complete sense, Kavalan whisky is difficult to work with as the highlighted ingredient in ice cream, because alcohol lowers the freezing point of ice cream. When calculating the ice cream formula, you have to be very careful in balancing the ingredients, otherwise you may end up with an ice cream base that will not freeze into ice cream, no matter how long you churn it.

To make it even more challenging, we did a tasting of Kavalan whiskies in partnership with Kavalan in order to select the single malt whisky that would taste best in ice cream. Ultimately we ageed that the Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique cask strength whisky would be best. Its ABV is around 60%, making it arguably the most difficult of all the Kavalan whiskies to add to ice cream.

Using Elliot’s AI and our proprietary ice cream algorithms, we calculated a precise formula that carefully balanced Kavalan’s cask strength whisky proportions with an American-style ice cream base. We wanted a creamier ice cream that would soften the cask strength burn, yet not cover the special, subtle flavors of Vinho Barrique. After a few iterations of tastings with Kavalan, we ended up with a flavor that both of us were proud of.

The whisky’s bold aroma and well-rounded taste shine through in each bite, complemented by the creamy texture. Delicate notes of caramel, vanilla, and citrus mingle with the subtle tipsiness of whisky, creating a flavor that is sophisticated yet approachable for whisky lovers and novices alike. As the creamy ice cream melts in your mouth, these delicate flavors are released more slowly and gently than if you were sipping the whisky neat. This allows you to perceive them more clearly. It essentially “deconstructs” the whisky, separating the burn from the flavor and presenting the flavor in a more approachable way.