Talisker Wilder Seas X Parley

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 48.6% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: Yes

Special Features:

Wilder Seas brings together Talisker’s maritime character and a finishing process used by the distillery for the first time: the whisky was finished in French oak casks that had previously held XO Cognac. Fruity notes of plums and stewed raisins join the interplay of salt, smoke and spice. This limited-edition single malt is bottled at 48.6% in 0.7-litre bottles.

The collaboration with Parley for the Oceans also shapes the presentation. The bottle’s glass is made entirely from recycled glass; this does not include the closure, ceramic decoration or label. Biofuel was used in the glassmaking process. The ceramic lines evoke the underwater landscape along Skye’s coast. Instead of outer packaging, the bottle carries a recycled-paper tag.

For every bottle of this edition produced, Talisker donates three British pounds to Parley. The projects supported by these donations focus on protecting underwater forests off Scotland, South Africa and Chile. They include scientific research around the Orkney Islands, protection of the Great African Sea Forest and collaboration with Fundación Rompientes along the Chilean coast.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose is mild and dry, yet rich. Fruit and malt recall malt loaf with sultanas, dates and dried figs. Behind these, a delicate chalk note leads to brine and salt crystals. A slightly fruity, wine-like base and a hint of pipe tobacco round out the aroma. A little water brings the smoke further forward.
• Palate: The mouthfeel is soft and creamy. A richly sweet opening is quickly followed by salty, smoky and fruity impressions. Sweet nuances of sultanas and figs emerge on the mid-palate, accompanied by growing peppery spice and smoke. Undiluted, the whisky tastes rich and intense; a little water makes it slightly sweeter, fruitier and spicier, highlighting ripe figs.
• Finish: The long finish is warming and slightly drying. A peppery heat develops towards the end, while smoky and fruity notes linger.

Distillery/Bottler:

Talisker is located in Carbost on the coast of Scotland’s Isle of Skye. The MacAskill brothers opened the distillery in 1830, and it is now the island’s oldest working distillery. Its history includes several changes of ownership and a fire, while its site on Skye has remained the centre of the brand to this day.

Talisker uses Oregon pine washbacks and a fermentation time of around 70 hours. This is followed by double distillation in copper pot stills. Bent pipes on the first stills encourage heavier vapour components to flow back into the still. For condensation, Talisker uses traditional worm tubs: the vapour is cooled in coiled copper pipes and becomes liquid again. These methods are part of the distillery’s general production process; the XO Cognac finish is the distinctive maturation choice for Wilder Seas.

Facts: