Nantou Distillery and Omar Whisky: Taiwan's State-Owned Single Malt
Updated: 4 days ago
Omar is a Taiwanese single malt brand made at the Nantou Distillery, a site run by the state-owned Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation, usually shortened to TTL. It is the second best-known name in Taiwanese whisky after Kavalan, and it has an unusual neighbour on site: a fruit winery.
In this guide
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Nantou at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery | Nantou |
Country / region | Nantou, Taiwan |
Owner / producer | Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation |
History | Omar belongs to TTL, the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation, a state-owned manufacturer and distributor of alcohol and tobacco. TTL has 9 wineries and distilleries in total. |
Whisky identity | Taiwanese malt under the Omar label |
Visiting | Check the current official visiting arrangements before travelling. |
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Where is Nantou Distillery?
The distillery is in Nantou, central Taiwan, and is operated by TTL. TTL traces its roots to a government monopoly agency set up under Japanese colonial rule in 1901. The monopoly on alcohol ended in 2002, when Taiwan prepared to join the World Trade Organization.
A short history
1977: the Nantou Distillery is founded, initially making wine, brandy, rum and other fruit-based spirits.
2008: a malt whisky distillation facility is built on the same premises. The Omar whisky brand is established the same year.
2009: the first new-make spirit is produced.
2013: the first Omar products are released, a cask strength bourbon cask single malt and a sherry cask single malt.
Who owns Omar?
Omar belongs to TTL, the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation, a state-owned manufacturer and distributor of alcohol and tobacco. TTL has 9 wineries and distilleries in total.
How is Omar made?
Omar uses a Scottish-style double distillation and 100 percent imported two-row English malted barley. Because Taiwan is subtropical, whisky matures quickly there, and the brand emphasises flavour development over long ageing.
The distillery is also a fruit winery. According to Wikipedia that combination is unique among distilleries worldwide. It lets the distillery move freshly emptied fruit wine casks, including lychee and plum casks, straight into whisky maturation.
The name
The name Omar is derived from the Gaelic word for amber.
Awards and markets
Omar has received more than 100 international awards and is exported to markets including France, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
Other TTL whisky
TTL also runs the Taichung Distillery, which dates to 1916 and makes Gu Yun, a single grain whisky from wheat distilled in a continuous still. Grain whisky production began there in 2010.
The Nantou Distillery visit
A 2021 visit report describes Nantou Distillery in the mountains of central Taiwan as the home of Omar single malt. It says the team uses traditional Scotch whisky methods combined with local ideas, and notes that the warm, humid climate speeds maturation compared with Scotland.
Heritage: the report says the team went to Scotland in the 1980s to learn the craft, and ties the distillery to Taiwan's tobacco and liquor company
Casks: whiskies are finished in liqueur barrels to take on local fruit character, with orange, plum, lychee and black queen wine named
Visits: the distillery tour includes a cask strength tasting drawn straight from the cask
What makes Nantou distinctive?
Taiwanese malt under the Omar label.
Nantou whisky bottles and releases
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Omar Single Malt Bourbon Type | NAS / release varies | Check bottle | Taiwanese malt under the Omar label |
Omar Single Malt Sherry Type | NAS / release varies | Check bottle | Taiwanese malt under the Omar label |
The table records named expressions, not live stock. Bottle strength and cask treatment can vary by market and release. Always consult the producer.
Explore more Taiwan distilleries
Explore other whisky producers in Taiwan.
Frequently asked questions about Nantou
Where is Nantou based?
Nantou, Taiwan.
Who owns Nantou?
Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation.
What is notable about Nantou?
Taiwanese malt under the Omar label.
Which bottles does Nantou have?
Omar Single Malt Bourbon Type, Omar Single Malt Sherry Type. Releases and availability change.
Can you visit Nantou?
Check the distillery's official visitor or tour information before making travel plans.
Who makes Omar?
The Nantou Distillery, operated by Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation.
When was the first Omar released? In 2013.
What does Omar mean? It comes from the Gaelic word for amber.
Does Omar use Taiwanese barley? No. The sources say it uses imported English two-row malted barley.
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Sources, image credits and official links
Sources: Wikipedia articles on Taiwanese whisky and Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation, checked 20 October 2026.
Further source read on 21 October 2026: My Inspire Project visit report on Nantou Distillery, 14 March 2021.
The original history, references and research remain in this guide. Whisky range and visitor information may change.
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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