TEXTURAL TAIWAN

How many distilleries around the world can lay claim to being government owned?

A state-owned single malt, no less. Distillery 138 has been in operation since 1978 but didn’t start producing single malt whisky until 2008 after they saw the (privately owned) success of Distillery 139 doing so. Cask 138.15 hails all the way from Taiwan, from one of the two whisky distilleries on the island. Every 138 we’ve seen has been a masterclass in texture and mouthfeel, and this cask is no different. After a fascinating peated expression a couple of months ago, we’re now excitingly offering up this unpeated, Juicy Oak & Vanilla single cask which just oozes with damp tobacco leaf, melon liqueur, French furniture polish and cherry syrup.

TEMPTATION’S TENDRILS

JUICY, OAK & VANILLA

CASK No. 138.15

CASK TYPE 1st fill bourbon barrel

We encountered a nose full of dusty pollens, sandalwood, oily rags, camphor, aged mead, white pepper, damp tobacco leaf and hints of melon liqueur, rose syrup, Battenberg cake, lemon curd and fruit salad juices. With water we found a waxier element of furniture polish and beeswax. Putty, lime infused olive oil, chai tea, camphor, aged muscat wines, kumquat and cherry syrup. The palate displayed super richness and texture. Bright fruits, warm, toasty spices, paprika, spiced dark teas, aged cheng pi orange peels, heather flowers, marzipan and pear cordial. Water brought rose syrup, citrus curds, grapefruit peel, dried herbs, orchard fruits stewed in old calvados and muscovado sugar caramelising with oatmeal.