Talisker 8 Year Old Special Releases 2024

Talisker 8 Year Old Tidal Churn Special Releases 2024 58.7% 70cl 

Celebrated Skye distillery Talisker has perhaps the most unusual cask make-up of them all. It was initially matured in refill and ex-bourbon American oak. But then it was finished in ‘stone-spun’, toasted American oak barrels. Why stone-spun? By using essentially pebbles to churn against the wood, it recalls life on the rocky Hebridean coastline where the distillery is located. 

Official tasting notes:

Nose: A mellow nose in feel and dry overall. After a slow start, the first impression is fresh:  faintly maritime, as with sea breezes, rockpools and oyster shells, on an earthy, mineral base  with a hint of sphagnum moss. A little water develops the maritime notes and calms the  spice.  

Palate: Very smooth, mouth-filling and creamy in texture, with a powerful taste that is sweet  at first and salty midpalate, a striking mineral effect like that found in wines grown on granitic soil, then abundant peppery spice. Lightly drying overall, with a fruit hint of apple and pear.  Easier on the palate at reduced strength when the increased saltiness and minerality contrast  beautifully with more controlled peppery spice.  

Finish: Lengthy, developing plenty of Talisker spiciness, with a Sichuan-pepper mouth cooling effect in the aftertaste that increases with a dash of water.