Omar Single Malt Whisky Sherry Cask

Nose: Sweet, vibrant raisins with a whisper of fresh citrus and concentrated apple nectar. Palate: Sweet and bittersweet raisins dominate, coating the mouth with a rich, oily texture. A mild warmth is present, alongside a stone fruit pit bitterness and notes that approach medicinal or metallic but don't quite reach them. Finish: A persistent warmth lingers, accompanied by an odd, slightly bitter, medicinal, and metallic fruitiness reminiscent of red berries. It bears a resemblance to Cynar, though less intensely bitter or strong. Score: 70/100 Overall: The aroma held significant potential, offering appealing, traditional sherry-matured whisky notes of plump raisins and orange zest. However, the taste delivered a pleasing richness and initial sweetness that was unfortunately undercut by a peculiar medicinal, metallic, and bitter undertone. While these flavors were subtle, their presence was noticeable and distracting, persisting into the finish. This created a lingering sensation akin to certain herbal Chinese tonics. It wasn't entirely unpleasant, but definitely not enjoyable. If offered, I would pass. I would not seek this out. I would not purchase a bottle. NOTE: Price is not considered in any review.

This is the absolute definition of an average whiskey. I'm curious about its profile without the sherry finish, as its entire character seems derived from the sherry. It's thin and straightforward, but not unpleasant. I consumed the entire bottle, though I am a significant admirer of sherried single malts. The overly dominant finish and the slightly elevated proof, which boost the existing flavors, prevent this from being rated lower. I have no intention of purchasing blind from Nantou distillery again; I'll stick with Kavalan for my Taiwanese whiskey.

A well-rounded Taiwanese Single Malt from Nantou Distillery, crafted using one of four pot stills. It's made with malted barley sourced from Scotland and is only produced during the cooler months of October through April. It then matures in former Sherry barrels. Its aroma starts with hints of orange, mandarin, and sherry. The palate offers a full body with flavors of malted barley, mandarin, cinnamon, honey, vanilla, and dark chocolate, culminating in a lengthy, spicy finish with notes of oak and fruit. October 2018 / February 2019 / August 2022

I agree with another reviewer on this one. Where is the sherry? It's sweet, pleasant, and not offensive. It's about average, slightly above the middle. I suspected as much because its bourbon counterpart (which, frankly, has been in used sherry casks so many times that I doubt you could honestly call it sherry-aged) was nothing special. This isn't either. If you're looking for Taiwanese whisky, try Kavalan (the high-end is great, but the lower end is average). Avoid this distillery unless you enjoy mediocrity.

The aroma is sweet with honey and a hint of cinnamon spice. The initial taste is sweet with sherry, followed by orange flavors on the front of your palate, then bitter smoke. The oak is present in the aftertaste with more bitterness. The finish lingers unpleasantly. I would not purchase this at its $86 price point; it feels more like a bottle in the high $20 range.

I enjoy whiskies from Taiwan, which often have a floral scent like honeysuckle. This one certainly does, with clear sherry undertones as well. The palate features sherry and vanilla, followed by dark chocolate, then transitioning to cinnamon that carries through the finish. It's well-balanced.