5 Exotic Distilleries That Worth Checking Out

Good whiskey doesn’t always have to come from Scotland. Distilleries from Taiwan, Australia, and India are no longer insider tips—they have become well-known names in the industry. In this article, I’d like to introduce you to five distilleries from countries you might not immediately associate with whiskey.

How many of them do you know?

Ondjaba – Namibia

Ondjaba, from Erongo Mountain Winery, is a whiskey known even beyond its home country, Namibia, in southwestern Africa. What makes it unique is the use of elephant dung as a sustainable peat substitute and the incorporation of various Namibian grains, such as pearl millet.

A bottle of this distillery's offering is the Ondjaba The Namibian Whiskey

Goalong – China

The Liuyang Gaolong Liquor Distillery is located at the foot of Dawei Mountain in China’s Hunan Province. The water used for whiskey production comes from the Liuyang River spring, known for its exceptional softness and purity.

A bottle of this distillery's offering is the Goalong Liquor 5 Years Old

Abasolo – Mexico

Destilería y Bodega Abasolo is Mexico’s first distillery dedicated solely to whiskey production. It is located in the heart of Jilotepec, at an altitude of over 2,300 meters, making it one of the highest distilleries in the world.

Kemlya – Russia

The distillery in the village of Kemlya was founded in 1828, making it one of Russia’s oldest distilleries. In addition to various high-proof and organic spirits, the company released five varieties of "Russian Single Malt" in 2022.

A bottle of this distillery's offering is the Kemlya 5 Years Old Sherry Wood

McHenry – Tasmania

McHenry Distillery is the southernmost distillery in Australia, located on the rugged Tasman Peninsula at the edge of Mount Arthur. Since its founding in 2011, this family-run business has been producing whiskey and other spirits in a 500-liter still, using locally sourced ingredients.

A bottle of this distillery's offering is the McHenry 10 Years Old Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky

Conclusion

For me, one of the most beautiful and important aspects of whiskey is its diversity and the joy of discovering something new. That’s why I’m always curious when it comes to unfamiliar whiskeys. Whiskey fairs are always a great place to try distilleries outside the mainstream.

Find out which whiskey fairs are happening in Germany this year in our overview!