TALISKER 40YRS│700ML

DESCRIPTION

This Island single malt is the oldest expression released commercially to date from the Talisker distillery on the Isle of Skye. Distilled in 1978, this limited edition has been aged in refill American oak barrels before being finished in 40 year old amontillado sherry casks from Delgado Zuleta, one of Jerez’s oldest sherry producers, in homage to the type of whisky that would have been produced at the distillery in the early 20th century. The first release in the Bodega series, just 2,000 bottles of this 40 year old have been produced at a strength of 50% abv. Described as a deep, crystal gold liquid, the palate offers white grape and sultanas, alongside Talisker’s characteristics sea salt and smoke.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Mild and rich, with light nose prickle. The sweet fruitiness of sultanas and pears in syrup, then orange peel, framed in oiled sandalwood, with a salty suggestion of seaweed or sea air in the middle, on a base of faintly smoky raw sugar. Water brings up a buttery note of short crust pastry and a waxy hint.
Palate: At natural strength, the texture is very fine; oil-smooth and lightly coating. The taste starts sweetly fruity – white grapes, more sultanas – then becomes sea-salty and savoury, before finishing hot and peppery. As the sweet waves of flavour roll out across the palate, they break over a hint of that Talisker trademark, hot chili spice, and some scented smoke. There’s great balance and vigour throughout. Adding water may tame the fire a little, but the lion remains wild at heart.
Finish: Long and warming, with a late, great tongue-tingling nuttiness in the embers as the fire slips down, and a last smoky trace of snuffed candle.