OMAR Concerto: Another Taiwanese Whisky, Played by Hong Kong Enthusiasts
2026.10.05
In short: Beyond Kavalan, Taiwan has OMAR from Nantou Distillery. Its rare “Whisky Concerto” series was bottled for Hong Kong whisky enthusiasts: Op.1 (bourbon cask) and Op.2 (virgin oak cask). I share their specs, tasting notes and the story behind them.
Taiwanese Whisky Means Kavalan. But That’s Not All.
When you hear “Taiwanese whisky,” the first name that comes to mind is probably Kavalan.
With countless awards to its name, it is known all over the world.
But Taiwan has another distillery.
That is OMAR, from Nantou Distillery.
It began distilling whisky in 2008, and since its first release in 2013 it has been so popular that bottles sell out as soon as they ship.
Even so, it is known as a distillery with a narrow door, with almost no independent or private bottlings.
The “Whisky Concerto” I introduce here is a series with a special place even within OMAR.
A Door Opened by Hong Kong Enthusiasts
This limited series was created by “Concerto,” a group of whisky enthusiasts in Hong Kong.
They visited Nantou Distillery, negotiated directly again and again, and finally won the right to bottle two casks.
And so, in 2020, just a few hundred bottles were released for the Hong Kong market: the beginning of the Concerto series.
Opus 1: Op.1 – Cattleya Orchid
The series opens with “Op.1 – Cattleya Orchid.”
- 2014–2020, bourbon cask
- 57.9%, cask strength
- Limited to 178 bottles (for the Hong Kong market)
Tasting notes:
Perfume-like floral notes, ripe stone fruit, caramel cake.
Layers of oriental spice and incense make for a complex, deep aroma.
Soft and delicate on the palate, with a long, elegant finish.
Fruity and sweet, yet never cloying: a charming, captivating bottle.
Opus 2: Op.2 – Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata)
Next, “Op.2 – Orange Jasmine” is a contrasting style to Op.1.
- 2015–2020, virgin oak cask
- 55.9%
- Limited to 222 bottles
Tasting notes:
Fresh fruit on top, with calm notes of sandalwood and agarwood beneath.
Rich stone-fruit sweetness and sweet spice in harmony, with a composure beyond its actual age.
Compared with Op.1’s soft, elegant character, it leaves a more masculine, energetic impression.
What OMAR Is
Nantou Distillery, which makes OMAR, is run by TTL (Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corporation), a government-owned company.
The fermentation and maturation expertise built up through making beer, Shaoxing wine and more is put to use in its whisky-making.
A newcomer, yet no amateur:
that sums up where OMAR stands.
A Concerto to Hear at Little Happiness
If Kavalan is “the main melody,” then OMAR is “a quietly resonating countermelody.”
Whisky Concerto Op.1 / Op.2 are currently being served at the Little Happiness counter.
Two special bottles brought together by Hong Kong enthusiasts.
Raise your glass and discover their resonance with your own senses.
Every encounter is meant to be. Welcome to the world of Rum&Whisky.
Mika Tanimoto, Bar Little Happiness
[About the author]
Mika Tanimoto
CEO, Little.m Inc. / Owner-bartender
Since 2006, I have run Bar Little Happiness, a whisky and rum bar in Nagarekawa, Hiroshima. I visit distilleries in Japan and around the world and write about the people who make the spirits. Recipient of the Hiroshima City Excellent Skilled Worker Award.
“Whisky and rum taste even better when you know the hearts of the people who make them.”
[Visit the bar] 📍 Bar Little Happiness
Rolling Nagarekawa 1F, 5-14 Nagarekawa-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
Mon–Sat 7:00 pm – 12:30 am / Sun 7:00 pm – 12:00 am (closed when I travel to visit distilleries)
No cover charge, no reservation needed
