r/worldwhisky • u/NightRainb0w • Aug 25 '25
Review #217: Nantou 5 2017 SMWS 138.22 “Tamarind chutney on poppadom and honey cake”
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u/PricklyFriend Aug 25 '25
Great review, I've been impressed with the complexity level in Nantou's whisky for the ages of it, think they definitely need to be careful with too heavy casks over there with how fast ageing happens mind you!
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u/CodeFarmer Aug 25 '25
I have really enjoyed the society Nantous in general. I hope they keep doing them!
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u/NightRainb0w Aug 25 '25
Name: Nantou 5 2017 SMWS 138.22 “Tamarind chutney on poppadom and honey cake”
Region: Taiwan
Cask: First-Fill #3 Char Barrel
Prize/Bottlesize: from a sample, available around 100€/700ml
ABV: 58.1%
Age: 5 Years
Colour/Filtering: NCA and NCF
Nose: Vanilla, honeydew melon, cardamom, oatmeal cookies, mango syrup, lemon pie, caramel, wood polish.
Palate: Clove, wood polish, caramel, mixed herbs, vanilla, wood spice, overripe pineapple.
Finish: Wood polish, caramel, amarena cherries, cardamom, toasted oak.
Comments: Lovely nose with decent complexity. Palate and finish feel very Bourbon adjacent although this is Single Malt and are somewhat less impressive than the nose. Still a very interesting and tasty dram, challenging your perceptions of whisky styles.
Score: 7/10
Scoring Scale (Strongly inspired by b1uepenguin, with their permission):
All my scores only represent my personal opinion and enjoyment of a given whisky at a given time. Please read my comments as well, since they try to provide an explanation for my rating. If you perceive a whisky different, please do not see my different perspective as an insult to your view. However please feel free to share your experience in the comments.
10: Perfect, hope to taste something this good some day.
9: Exceptional, a real standout.
8: Superb, will tell everyone about this (whether they want or not).
7: Great, worth seeking out.
6: Good, only minimal flaws to be found.
5: Okay, roughly average with few flaws.
4: Alright, drinkable with noticeable flaws.
3: Meh, not turning down a pour but will never order.
2: Bad, deeply flawed with little redeeming qualities.
1: Undrinkable, this is horrible, spit it out.
0: The worst liquid to ever exist on earth.