Omar Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

The young and bold Whisky from Taiwan.

Taiwan isn’t the first thing one associates with Whisky, but the Nantou Distillery decided to change that. It’s one of the many distilleries owned by the state, but the only one producing Whisky. While some states prohibit alcohol, the Taiwanese makes it. And Nantou has been making it for the last decade and it was high time we got their Single Malt!

Omar is one of the two biggest Spirit names in Taiwan (next to Kavalan) and it’s made in one of the four pot stills manufactured in Scotland. Nantou ages Whiskies in Bourbon and Sherry casks, and this particular bottle matured in the latter. They import malted barley from Scotland and they only produce Whisky between October and April when the temperatures are lower.

The fact is that Whiskies usually don’t come from Taiwan, but the ones that do are really something else. Omar Sherry Cask Single Malt is no exception. It’s elegant and one can tell they know their stuff. Sherry cask notes are complemented by mandarin and orange, which also dominate the palate, where they are joined by honey, vanilla and dark chocolate.

Omar Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky guided tasting:

Brad Japhe takes us on a tasting adventure through the Whiskeyverse of Advent Calendar 2021.