Venture into unexplored territory with Talisker 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This special release is the first ever to be finished in pot still Caribbean rum casks, enlivening Talisker's maritime, peppery character with the dark sweetness of warmer climes. It offers a sweet aroma of molasses balanced with sea salt and dried seaweed on a smoky barbecue base. Smooth and soft, this whisky's robust, salty-sweet taste is steadily outshined by the classic Talisker heat. The long, peppery and drying finish rounds off with sweet smoke. Bottled at natural cask strength, this extraordinary Talisker is best served in a traditional whisky glass with a little water to allow the finishing smoke to linger. Sitting amongst the Inner Hebridean Scottish Isles, Skye is rugged, windswept and a place of extremes. Our whisky captures the spirit of its island home perfectly. In 1825, Hugh MacAskill of Eigg acquired the Talisker House and along with his brother built what was to become one of the world’s most popular distilleries on the shore of Loch Harport. Now it is one of the oldest single malt Scotch whiskies made by the sea. Through fire, war and financial crises, this northern outpost has remained strong: producing consistently fine whiskies which, once tried, are rarely forgotten. Please drink responsibly.
The nosing passes find scents of sea breeze, kippers, brine, leather, barley malt, light oakiness and tannin. Palate entry is dry at first then opens up with succulent tastes of smoked trout, green peppercorn and sea salt; midpalate is oily, salty, oaky sweet with some bitterness to balance the sweetness. Ends lean, sweet and delicious.
There’s near perfection in the bitter-sweet harmony which is such an enthralling feature of this truly classic whisky, as its crisp peat softens, not to pepper, but to rich, sweet, juicy fruit.
This now rare 25 year old from Talisker was distilled in 1975 and is number 1737 of a limited edtion 6000 that were bottled in 2001.
The nose is quite clean and fresh. There is a mixed fruity sweetness with a spicy character. The peat and smoke rise with notes of perfume and thick oak. Hints of Calvados and a touch of acidity with ground ginger. The palate is thick and rich and full-bodied. Notes of spicy, peppery oak, espresso beans and wood smoke. A little allspice creeps in, there is a certain zesty character lurking somewhere. The spice builds and builds with utter intent. The finish is long and with peppery oak.