Heat is an ingredient
In Yilan's typhoon humidity, casks lose over 10% a year to the angels — five times the Scottish rate — and flavour develops just as fast. A six-year Kavalan drinks like a Scottish teenager. Kavalan, built by the King Car Group in 2005, proved it by winning blind tastings within five years of its first spirit; its Solist Vinho Barrique was named the world's best single malt in 2015.
Taiwan's other house is state-owned: Nantou (Omar) finishes whisky in casks that held Taiwanese lychee and plum liqueurs — a perfume nobody else can bottle. 'Omar' is Gaelic for amber.