THE LESSER-SPOTTED WHISKY KINGFISHER

Taiwan is a fascinating and extremely lucrative market for Scotch whisky, even spawning exclusive bottlings such as The Glenlivet 13 Years Old, matured in oloroso sherry casks, and The Macallan Boutique Collection 2017 Release, not to mention Wolfburn Single Cask 835 – Shin Group Limited Release.

With a population of just 23.78 million people, the country is the fourth-largest global export destination for Scotch in terms of value, though only 20th in volume, implying that the Taiwanese whisky consumer is prepared to pay for quality.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association, total Scotch exports to Taiwan have risen by 17 per cent in value since 2011, from £155m to £181m in 2020, and single malt exports have grown by a remarkable 42 per cent in value, from £84m to £120m over the same period.

One of the most knowledgeable whisky figures in Taiwan