The other week I pottered on down to the London Canal Museum near Kings Cross for the evening. No, I haven’t developed a newfound passion for traditional British waterway transport, I was off to the launch party for Talisker whisky’s new release: Talisker Skye.
Talisker is one of Scotland’s most famous whisky brands, producing circa 3 and a half million litres of whisky a year! Their distillery is on the Isle of Skye, off of the North West coast of Scotland, and has been producing since 1831.
Talisker is one of Scotland’s most famous whisky brands, producing circa 3 and a half million litres of whisky a year! Their distillery is on the Isle of Skye, off of the North West coast of Scotland, and has been producing since 1831.
Skye itself seems an interesting place. It’s acclaimed for its wild and rugged scenery, however neither of these characteristics make it the most practical place to make whisky in. Skye is nothing if not inaccessible, battered by the elements and remote. Talisker however has thrived here and turned these apparent deterrents to its advantage. This new Skye whisky is their celebration of this challenge, paying direct homage to its craggy island home.The whisky is aged in a combination of toasted and refill American bourbon casks and peated to the medium level characteristic of Talisker. The result is a dram that is sweet, familiarly smoky, with deep salty notes and a spicy finish, simultaneously refined and wild (see full tasting notes here).
To bring the story of this new whisky to life for those who have never been to Skye, the Talisker team took us through an interactive tasting. We were ushered out of the warmth of the Canal Museum and onto an open air barge. With the chill spring wind in my hair and the waters gently lapping against the boat, we were startled by bright heat lamps being shone in our faces, replicating Skye’s bright sunshine, and pine needles being smoked and wafted around us. Sipping away at the Talisker Skye under such unusual duress, I could begin to imagine the inspiration its Master Blenders drew from in producing this spirit. I like an emotive connection to my whiskies; this was a welcome addition.
Other most welcome additions to the evening were a live folk set, cocktail making class by the world’s best female bar tender and canapés from Michelin starred chef Tom Sellers. I’ve eaten at his place, Restaurant Story, before and am a huge fan. Highlights include oyster cream stuffed flower and a delicious crispy brick of flaked rabbit with pickles on top. Drinks were not lacking. The bar tenders had created the most delicious cocktails, using the Talisker’s inherent peaty notes to marry sweet fruit flavours in a pear and Talisker cocktail and an apricot and Talisker Old Fashioned. You could call me a fan.
I liked Talisker’s new Skye offering. Its newer sweetness over Talisker’s characteristic smoke and salt notes works for my whisky-newbie palate and this emphatic appreciation of terroir makes for a vivid sip with a bit of….razzle dazzle. Fill my glass up.
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2018
