Talisker, Magma
This old whisky has been finished in new American oak casks charred by intensely heated volcanic rocks, sourced from the Isle of Skye’s ancient magma chambers. The process replaces the usual open-flame approach by heating volcanic rock to high temperatures before placing it in the middle of a new cask. This is supposed to intensify the wood’s fruity characters, but the whisky spent only its final six months in these casks, with much of the influence coming from 46-and-a-half years in standard-issue refill American oak hogsheads.
Nose
Pineapple, mango, cedarwood
Palate
Oak spice, peat smoke, charred wood
Finish
Meat notes, charred oak, coastal salinity
You'd expect a coastal profile from any Talisker, but the most prominent notes on the nose are far more vibrant: pineapple, mango, and a touch of cedarwood. Peat fades with age, and this has only a wisp of smoke. Those tropical fruits don't come through to the palate, which leans into aged notes instead: oak spice, peat smoke, and a charred wood quality, all pointing towards its years. The finish is more of the same – meaty notes, charred oak, and a coastal salinity. There's certainly a journey here, and the palate is not unexpected, but with the nose promising so much vibrancy, the taste feels a little disconnected.
Style
Details
Talisker, Magma
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