Maker:
On the shores of the Isle of Skye, where rugged coastlines meet the raging sea, you find adventure in a bottle. Talisker single malt scotch whisky captures the elemental wildness and unadulterated beauty of its birthplace to give you a taste of Skye in every sip. Looking out over the breathtaking scenery of the Cuillin Hills, Talisker Distillery stands proudly by the sea on the shores of Loch Carport. As the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye by almost 200 years, we have been an integral part of island life and history since 1830. In 1825, the MacAskill brothers arrived on Skye from the nearby smaller Scottish island of Eigg. After several false starts, in 1830 they opened Talisker distillery at Carbost, where it remained the only distillery on the island for nearly two centuries. Through upheaval, changes of ownership, and even a fire, Talisker has always kept Skye at the heart of the brand—and the whisky.
As a whisky made by the sea, Talisker shares a deep love for the beauty and fragility of the oceans and is proudly committed to protecting the ocean ecosystem for the next generation of wild spirits. Produced beside the shore of Lock Harport in the jagged shadow of the peaks of The Cuillin, Talisker is the only single malt scotch whisky made on the Isle of Skye.
Distillery:
Talisker's production process is just as fascinating as its history. Sourcing water from springs directly above the distillery that flows over peat into a network of pipes and wells, triple distillation was the order of the day until 1928, and while nobody is certain of the exact style they were making back then, experts speculate the triple distillation is the reason behind the somewhat unique still configuration of two wash stills and three spirit stills.
Talisker's wash stills boast a uniquely tall configuration, featuring an exaggerated U-shaped bend in the lyne arm with a purifier pipe that helps to refine the spirit and add oiliness. This distinct design encourages reflux, sending back heavy elements for further distillation, highlighting the fruity notes created during the long fermentation. After rising up the ‘U’, the lyne arm coils itself inside cold worm tubs. While this setup causes lots of reflux, there is surprisingly little copper contact, and this contributes towards Talisker's signature sulphury pepperiness. Second distillation takes place in the three small spirit stills, which also feature worm tubs, further adding mid-palate weight and complexity to the final product. Maturation occurs in refill and rejuvenated casks, while ex-fortified wine casks add extra layers of flavour to a number of core range expressions and special releases.
Style/Cuvee:
Talisker x Parley "Wilder Seas" is their very first single malt scotch whisky finished in French Oak XO Cognac casks. It has a pleasurable weight on the palate and a fine depth of taste, delivering a highly successful marriage of cask and spirit character - mature and rounded. The new 100% recycled bottle is made from biofuel and has been re-shaped into the distinctive Talisker bottle. This Limited Edition is vision and mission combined, as the in-built donation supports global, sustainable projects to protect and preserve sea forests off the coast of Scotland, South Africa and Chile. Talisker has partnered with "Parley for the Oceans", to rewild more than 100 million square metres of ocean forest. With this limited edition bottling, Talisker "Wilder Seas", inviting wild spirits around the world to join in this journey. Each 100% recycled bottle purchased represents a £3 donation to the cause to protect and preserve the oceans.
Finished in ex-Cognac French Oak casks, a Talisker first, the maritime aromas and powerful spice crash in waves, while rich fruity sweetness and lush complexity rises from the profound smoky depths, representing a glowing sunrise and a new day on the horizon for our seas. Talisker Wilder Seas is best enjoyed neat with a drop of water to bring the flavours out to the fullest.
Tasting Notes:
NOSE - Bacon, Toffee, Dried Figs
Mild and dry in feel, yet rich overall. Tight-packed top notes of fruit and malt suggest malt bread with sultanas, dates and dried figs. Beneath them, a light mineral hint of chalk leads into rousing maritime notes of brine, salt crystals and ship’s rails in a high sea, all on a lightly fruity, winey base, with a hint of pipe tobacco. Adding a little water brings up a smoky note.
PALATE - Saline, Wood Smoke, Dark Cherry
The creamy-smooth mouthfeel introduces a big taste that starts richly sweet then quickly becomes salty, smoky and fruity, with lush, sweet hints of sultana and fig mid-palate wrapped in rising peppery spice and smokiness. Rich and intense at natural strength, it becomes slightly sweeter, fruitier (suggesting ripe figs again) and spicier if water is added.
FINISH - Peppery, Warming, Smoky
Long, warming and lightly drying, with a familiar late peppery catch and a most appealing smoky-fruity aftertaste.
Bacon crisps on the nose, touch of iodine and some saline notes, toffee, water brings out a stone fruit fruitiness, and vanilla. Peppery and spicy, wood smoke, toffee, and dark cherry. Long and spicy, that peppery note goes on and on. - Henry Jeffreys, Master of Malt.
The Finer Details
Style - Scotch Whisky
Country - Scotland
Region - Isle of Sky
Bottle Size - 700ml
ABV - 48.6%
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