Talisker Distillers Edition is a single malt from the distillery on the Isle of Skye, bottled at 45.8% and finished in Amoroso sherry casks. The Distillers Editions are an annual, limited-quantity series released since 1997.
Talisker is the oldest distillery on Skye. Founded in 1830, it stands on the shore of Loch Harport, in the shadow of the jagged Cuillin peaks, and its smoky, maritime character reflects those storm-lashed surroundings. The whisky's salty, coastal profile stems directly from this location.
Maturation takes place in two stages. The whisky first matures in refill American and European oak casks, and completes its second phase in heavily charred American oak casks seasoned with Amoroso sherry. This rare Amoroso cask finish rounds out and completes the expression, while the sherry itself is composed of 90% oloroso and 10% Pedro Ximénez.
On the nose, the sea and smoke resound. A pungent nose combines clean, ozone-fresh sea air and coastal seaweed with smokier notes, a malty backdrop and the sultana sweetness drawn from the cask. The texture is oily and silky, the palate at once smoky and salty yet sweet with ripe fruit, quickly building towards pepperiness – with distinct notes of baked fig and sweet date, underpinned by peat smoke and sea salt. The finish is long and powerful, still sweet but growing ever drier, with lingering peat smoke and cocoa nibs.