Talisker The Wild Explorador

Tasting notes by Hans Offringa:

Appearance: Rich, bright gold. Moderate beading, thick legs.

Nose: Mellow and drying, with a touch of spice once it settles down. The top notes are of sticky malt loaf with sultanas and dates as dried fruits lead the way, soon fading to become more maritime, with clean sea air, sea salt and sand dunes. Surging through this come mineral notes of chalk and a light, winey hint of macerated grape skins. At first, just a suggestion of peat smoke runs underneath, although the aroma becomes much smokier when water is added.

Body: Medium to full.

Palate: A creamy-smooth mouthfeel introduces a powerful taste with lightly sweet notes and hints of rich fruit. This soon becomes very salty, then intensely peppery and gunpowder smoky. The taste is almost as powerful with a good dash of water, which accentuates the saltiness.

Finish: Long, finishing spicy with the trademark Talisker catch of chilli pepper, which tends toward mouth-cooling Szechuan pepper.

Talisker Distillery

Talisker Distillery is located on the beautiful shoreline of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Founded in 1830 by brothers Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, Talisker is the oldest operating distillery on Skye and has a rich history of producing characterful whiskies.

A specific feature of Talisker is the use of traditional pot stills and worm tubs, which contributes to the whisky's complex and robust flavour profile. The distillery is known for its powerful, peaty and maritime character, with pronounced notes of sea salt, smoke and black pepper. This unique flavour is further enhanced by maturation in American oak bourbon casks and European sherry casks, which adds depth and complexity to the whisky.

Talisker whiskies are praised for their deep, rich flavours and ability to capture the rugged, wild essence of Skye. The combination of traditional production methods, a unique location and a distinctive flavour profile makes Talisker an iconic name in the world of Scotch single malt whisky.