Talisker 8 Year Old from Diageo's 2021 Special Releases, the 20th set in the series, which ran under the title Legends Untold. Distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2021, it was drawn from heavily peated refill casks and bottled at cask strength of 59.7% ABV.
About This Whisky
After the rum-cask finish of 2020, the 2021 edition went back to basics. The team picked eight year old casks from refill wood that showed the heaviest peat character, rather than adding a special finish. Young age plus refill casks means little oak sweetness to hide behind: this is the Talisker spirit at close to full volume, with smoke, salt and pepper in front. It was bottled at 59.7%, without chill filtration or colouring.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Sea spray, peat smoke and seaweed, with smoked vanilla, black pepper and lemon peel.
- Palate: Soft and oily at first, then salt, peat, sweet malt and chilli heat.
- Finish: Long, warming and smoky, with citrus and salt.
Serving & Food
This is the strongest of the recent 8 year olds, so dilute a little: add a teaspoon of water to a measure and taste again. It sits well with smoked mackerel, char siu, or salt-and-pepper squid.
How to Enjoy
Peat lovers who like their smoke young, bold and uncomplicated by wine casks.
Product Details
Distillery: Talisker
Country: Scotland
Region: Isle of Skye (Islands)
Series: Diageo Special Releases 2021 (Legends Untold)
Vintage / Bottling: Distilled 2012, bottled 2021
Age: 8 years old
Cask: Heavily peated refill casks
ABV: 59.7%
Proof: 119.4
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
In the late nineteenth century Talisker was owned by Roderick Kemp, an Aberdeen merchant, and his partner Alexander Grigor Allan, who took it over in 1880. They improved the site, including a pier on Loch Harport, and a narrow railway once carried casks from the distillery down to the boats; its old tracks can still be seen. Skye was far from the whisky markets, and everything came and went by sea. Robert Louis Stevenson was a fan, naming Talisker in verse as the 'king o' drinks'. In 1925 the distillery passed to the Distillers Company, a forerunner of today's owner, Diageo.