54,6°
Distillery : Talisker - Islands
American and European Oak Refill Barrels
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2012
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 22 ppm
This is the oldest release in the Diageo Special Releases range, from Talisker, at any rate. The distillery has released older expressions, but you’d have to look in the Casks of Distinction or Prima & Ultima ranges, and they aren’t always cask strength. It is, therefore, a first-class whisky that I’ve been lucky enough to get my lips on. All the more so as the maturation is very straightforward, allowing the distillate to shine through. 3,090 bottles have been unleashed into the wild.
Let's Taste It :
The nose is simply perfect, airy, briny, mineral, smooth and of great purity, the aromas blend together to create a stunning balance. Then the fruit emerges gently, a hint of citrus zest, grapefruit, lime, the brightness of a mirabelle plum, a few drops of melted butter. A somewhat indecisive peat note, which remains in the shadows, never quite revealing itself. Fragments of limestone, seaweed and seafood. The rising tide. On the palate, it is subtle, fluffy, lychees, runny honey, perhaps exotic fruits, but barely perceptible, Golden Delicious apples, rock, basalt, and very discreet spices. A very long finish, slightly charred, rocky, gravelly, dusty, whispers of peat, the depth of the sea, squid, oily vanilla, a pinch of pepper.
In Short,
This is truly a Talisker from another dimension, clean and incredibly subtle, with great depth. The distillate is there, venerable, but without any embellishment from the cask. It’s absolutely magnificent. To be honest, I think I preferred this one, because it was a tad fruitier. But in both cases, it’s truly a whisky that leaves a lasting impression. The price, of course, is enough to send you into a deep depression.
Score : 92
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Max Richter - On the Nature of Daylight
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