Talisker 15 Year Old 2019 Special Releases Single Malt Whisky 57.3%

Nose

A mild nose-feel, with a noticeably spicy prickle, and lightly nose-drying. The aroma is immediately maritime, with notes of sea salt, dry seaweed, peeling boat varnish, and warm sand, on a base of smouldering peat. Very spicy and malty. Honey and smoke. Even a drop of water suppresses much of this.

Body

Medium to full.

Palate

A mouth-filling texture at natural strength, the taste is at first unexpectedly rich and sweet before a spiciness asserts itself, with a pinch of salt. The trademark chilli catch as you swallow is still there, while the pepperiness on the palate comes across in complex waves of drying spiciness. Interestingly, all these tastes are enhanced by a little water, which makes the effect more rounded, sweeter, and spicier still.

Finish

Long and spicy, with a delightful aftertaste. Lightly drying. With water, longer, spicier and more peppery. Leaves a thread of smoke on the tongue.

The Talisker distillery is in the Highlands region and owned by whisky industry giant’s Diageo. The distillery is located on the beautiful Isle of Skye and has a lengthy, thriving history of production dating back to 1830 when founded by Hugh & Kenneth MacAskill. Over the past twenty years Talisker has increasing become one of the main single malt whisky brands worldwide. Currently sales stand at 3.2 million bottles annually and it holds eighth place on the best selling Scottish single malt list. Recently the owners took the decision to completely overhaul the visitor centre to encourage a higher percentage of the 650,000 annual tourists to the island to visit the distillery.

Talisker has won many prestigious awards. Most notably the Talisker 10 year old took ‘Best Islands Single Malt’ at the 2017 World Whiskies Awards and was a gold medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2017. The style of whisky is enjoyed for its full-bodied, smoky and maritime character. The core range is Skye and Storm with no age statement. Distiller's Edition 10, 18, 25 and 30 years old in Amoroso sherry finish casks. Plus theres the Port Ruighe finished in ruby port casks. In 2022 the 44 year old Forests of the Deep was released unusually finished in casks that were charred using sea kelp.

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