Nantou distillery is in Taiwan. It’s owned by the state-run TTL corporation which had a monopoly on all tobacco and alcohol products until 2002. Nantou only started producing malt whisky in 2008, using malted barley shipped in from Scotland, and only from October to April when temperatures are lower.
Omar single malt ‘Sherry cask’
(46%, OB +/- 2016)
Nose: rather light and elegant. Juicy fruit compote at the centre (red apples, apricots, citrus). Some vanilla custard, as well as raisins, almonds and rosehip tea. Just a hint of chocolate in the background.
Mouth: bittersweet and a bit thin maybe, with mostly oaky flavours (cinnamon, ginger, clove) and less of the expected dried fruits. Hints of raisins and cocoa powder. Pink grapefruits. Brioche. Hints of smoke and herbs. Just a touch of alcohol too.
Finish: not too long, on oak, tobacco, chocolate and bitter orange.
A pleasant surprise: elegant whisky, not flawless but they know what they’re doing. That said, we’re paying around € 70 in Europe and that’s hard to justify.
Score: 81/100