Today I’d like to take a look at three interesting bottles from our friends across the sea in Taiwan at Nantou Distillery. Similar to Amrut in India, the hot climate requires shorter maturation periods, explosively high ABVs, and lots of fun and experimentation with different production methodologies and cask treatments. Nantou Omar 2020 Plum Liqueur Barrel Finish / 52% ABV …

Japanese Whisky As I’m currently living in Japan, I have the opportunity to acquire some domestically produced whiskies that are not often sold internationally. I wrote a short guide on where you can purchase whisky in Japan. Individual Reviews: Nikka Miyagikyo 2004 — From the Barrel — Distillery Exclusive Akkeshi Sarorunkamuy Nikka…

I have been trying to branch out in trying some Blended Whisky, which is afterall the most popular category of whisky worldwide. Today I’ve dug out seven blends, four of which are quite affordable, two of which are more upmarket, and one of which would be in the luxury category. …

Blair Athol 2008 SMWS 68.47 11 Year Old / 55.4% Tasted neat This Blair Athol, named “Riveting Raspberry Ruffle Truffles”, was distilled on 17.10.2008, spent nine years in an ex-bourbon hogshead,and then the last two in a 1st fill Oloroso hogshead. SMWS describes it as: A lovely deep fruity aroma like that of a raspberry pudding topped with roasted pecans…

Glenrothes 2007 Carn Mor 13 Year Old / 47.5% Tasted neat This Glenrothes is a vatting of two sherry butts distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2020 at 13 years old for Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers (MSWD)’s Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited label. The out-turn is a whopping 1628 bottles! On the label we get spare tasting notes: “Beautifully rich…

This is amazing. Bunnahabhain 2021 Cask Strength 12 Year Old / 55.1% / £75 Tasted neat Bottled on 8/18/2021, this 12 Year Old Cask Strength Bunnahabhain was a special release of ex-Sherry casks. This release is non-chill-filtered and natural colour. The distillery website notes: Not all whiskies work at cask strength and many whiskies don’t stand up to full maturation in…

Glenburgie 1998 Elixir 21 Year Old / 59.4% Tasted neat This Glenburgie was distilled on 08.10.1998 by Elixir Distillers for their “Single Malts of Scotland” series, and laid to rest in ex-bourbon hogshead #900887 for 21 years before being bottled on 19.12.2019, yielding just 298 bottles. Forming the heart of Ballentine’s blends, it’s a nice treat to try…