Talisker 15 Year Old, Diageo Special Release 2019

This year’s eight limited-edition cask strength whiskies selected master blender Dr. Craig Wilson form a unique collection from some of Scotland's most renowned distilleries.

Unique in its own way – distinctive maturation casks, rare finishes, unexpected taste profiles – every expression brings to life each distillery’s character, through beautifully dramatised illustrations of the wildlife and flora surrounding the distilleries.

APPEARANCE: Full gold, with copper lights. Very good beading.

NOSE: A mild nose-feel, with a noticeably spicy prickle, and lightly nose-drying. The aroma is immediately maritime, with notes of sea salt, dry seaweed, peeling boat varnish and warm sand, on a base of smouldering peat. Very spicy and malty. Honey and smoke. Even a drop of water suppresses much of this.

BODY: Medium to full.

PALATE: A mouth-filling texture at natural strength. The taste is at first unexpectedly rich and sweet before a spiciness asserts itself, with a pinch of salt. The trademark chilli catch as you swallow is still there, while the pepperiness on the palate comes across in complex waves of drying spiciness. Interestingly, all these tastes are enhanced by a little water, which makes the effect more rounded, sweeter, and spicier still.

FINISH: Long and spicy, with a delightful aftertaste. Lightly drying. With water, longer, spicier and more peppery. Leaves a thread of smoke on the tongue.