The oldest working distillery on Skye, Talisker was founded 1830 by brothers Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill. By late Victorian times it had become one of the largest selling single malts going from strength-to-strength, showing that then as now, the whisky had its own distinct style. But in 1960, the still-house was destroyed as flaming whisky ran into Loch Harport, that set it ablaze. The rebuilt distillery contained exact replicas of the old stills, featuring U shaped lye pipes that yield a form of double distillation and together with cooling in traditional worm tubs. These features still give Talisker unique texture and character.
The DISTILLERS EDITION is a collection of master-craftsmanship. Each cask in the series is individually selected and perfectly matched to the character of each of the single malts refined here. The two-parted maturation process gives more depth and complexity, which is the idea behind the limited DISTILLERS EDITION: preserving the perfection of the single malts that have already been awarded for their outstanding flavours. The selected taste nuances are more strongly accentuated in a way that is not found in the regular bottlings, but with fully maintaining the original character of these fine single malts. SCOTLAND'S FINEST - Since 1997, the Distillers Editions have been an annual release of limited quantities, each very much true to its origins yet possessing a rich depth, complexity and nuance of flavour not found in the regular release. This excellent Talisker has been firstly matured in Refill American and European Oak casks. With the second maturation finished in Amoroso seasoned heavily re-charred American Oak ends.
PURE FLAVOUR - Slightly richer than the original bottling, the Amoroso Seasoned Casks impart a wonderfully rounded and luscious, fruity sweetness that perfectly complement the crisp, dry peat-smoke and familiar pepperiness of Talisker. Richly weighted Layers of Spice, roasted fig and sweet date are sublimely underpinned by the revered maritime peatiness of Talisker.
TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: Rich amber. Fine beading. Good viscosity.
BODY: Full.
NOSE: A pungent nose with clean ozone-fresh sea-air and beach seaweed backed by richer, smokier notes, sweet malt and sultana sweetness from the cask; gloriously well combined and harmonious.
PALATE: An oily-smooth texture, the taste at once smoky and briny yet sweet with rich fruit too, quickly growing more peppery, as woody spiciness takes a clear interest. Luxurious suggestions of roasted fig and sweet date are firmly backed throughout by peat smoke and sea-salt, and there’s a smoothness to the chili ‘catch’ as it goes down.
FINISH: Long, powerful and while still sweet, now drying too, with lingering peat smoke and cocoa nibs.
