Talisker x Parley Wilder Seas

Currently half way through my Europe trip. Due to unforeseen access to rocks, I didn’t end up visiting the Lakes Distillery as planned. So no distillery visit at all this time. But; all is not lost. I’m currently sat looking out over the rich lawyer district of Rome. Going through duty free at the airport this morning I picked up a bottle of Talisker, and no ordinary bottle at that. My wife and I have walked about 20 km today seeing sights and in the back of my mind I’ve had this to look forward to… “Talisker is proud to present a new limited edition: Talisker 'Wilder Seas' in collaboration with our partner, Parley for the Oceans. Our shared goal is to rewild more than 100 million square metres of ocean forest, and with Talisker Wilder Seas, we invite wild spirits around the world to join us on our journey. Talisker x Parley "Wilder Seas" is our very first single malt scotch whisky finished in French Oak XO Cognac casks. It has a pleasurable weight on the palate and a fine depth of taste, delivering a highly successful marriage of cask and spirit character - mature and rounded. The new 100% recycled bottle is made from biofuel and has been re-shaped into the distinctive Talisker bottle. This Limited Edition is vision and mission combined, as the in-built donation supports global, sustainable projects to protect and preserve sea forests off the coast of Scotland, South Africa and Chile.” N: Soft, but quite powerful. A dry mineral presence is accompanied by maritime brine, a bacon note and a very gentle leafy-tobacco. But, whilst that is the hallmark of Talisker there is a delicate richness added from a sultana and figgy malt. The richness is understated and quite lovely. P: Full and lightly viscous. This is a creamy heavyweight opening with sticky fruity sweetness that brings forth the fig and sultana of the nose. But, that is quickly joined by slightly salted meats, ashy beach bonfire, a little deck tar and the all so important Talisker heat, but it’s very restrained. F: Long to very long. The warmth of a winter hearth, drying smoke, and an interplay of salt, caramelly-dates, and black pepper. What an interesting pour. I am stuck between memories of the Talisker 18 and Port Charlotte CC:01. When I wrote it T18 I closed with “It has all the power of the 10. It is bold, assertive, and rich in depth. But, it is calmer without being subdued. It is the sum total of the tempests violence and the contemplative calmness that follows. This is excellent.” CC:01 was border line perfect for me, one of my very few 5/5 ratings. The cognac cask in CC:01 adds a depth of character to an already excellent spirit and whisky process that is almost singular in its character development. Whilst this Talisker is not quite as good as the T18 at its roots, and not as powerfully novel as in the CC:01, this Wilder Seas is not much less for it. I like imagery, and for Talisker it’s all about the Sea. Here; I picture a period navy commander adorned in finery stepping off his ship and entering a room commanding attention. This dram holds plenty of power and poise. Distiller whisky taste #210 Talisker Running Scores T10 - 4/5 T18 - 4.75/5 57° North - 4.25/5 Skye - 3.5/5 T8 2021 (Sea Fury) 4.5/5 Wilder Seas - 4.25/5 'Brandy' cask running scores: Port Charlotte CC:01 - 5/5 Balvenie 16 French Oak Pineau Cask Finish - 3.5/5 Arran Rare Batch 17 y/o Calvados - 3.75/5 Starward Cognac Cask - 3.5/5 Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment Ponoma 2.75/5 Starward Small Batch, Sticky Toffee Apple - 3.25/5 Talisker X Parley Wilder Seas - 4.25/5 *edited at 1/3 of bottle remaining*

Nose: Ripe berries, rosewater and hyacinth at first. It was a very fruity profile to start with but on further nosing I got more maritime qualities (seaspray, tarry ropes, perique tobacco), salted caramel and soft smoke with a warm and rounded quality like smoked ham. Palate: The arrival was creamy and like the nose it had a fruity sweetness to it (fig jam, sultanas, stewed apricot). In the development this progressed to smoked, glazed pork ribs with a spicy salt and pepper rub. The brine note builds and seems set to dominate but then falls back as Szechuan pepper and mild smoky paprika take charge. The texture is creamy and has very good weight. Finish: Medium/Long. Fruit stewed with spices, aromatic peat smoke and a little pepper. This whisky is unusually fruity for a Talisker, but it's not a crisp orchard fruit style of malt. Instead the fruit notes here are deep and full-bodied with a leathery, tobacco and cocoa foundation. It’s a very agreeable profile and it shows a different side of Talisker that is reminiscent of their Distiller’s Edition, but not quite the same. It's an immediately approachable and easy-to-drink malt that I think would appeal to most palates, but those who like their Talisker to be bone-dry and peppery might find this to be too sweet and maybe a little genteel. It’s certainly not the raging tempest of Dark Storm or 57 Degrees North, but neither is it the refined dignity of the 18 year or 25 year old. This is more a lovable rogue with style. Jack Sparrow, mayhap? I liked this best without reduction, as it seemed most balanced that way. Tasted from a sample generously provided by @DrRHCMadden “Very Good” : 86/100 (4 stars)

Recently Talisker made a partnership with Parley,  a company that is dedicated to preserve the ocean's Kelp and other environmental sea causes. To celebrate that partnership, and to raise funds for the ocean, a new, beautiful looking expression has arrived to my home bar, the Talisker Parley "Wilder Seas". Even the bottle is made of 100% recycled glass  from biofuel, and it is matured in ex Cognac cask. To make it even better, it comes at 48.6%abv. On the nose, this is incredible. Salted Chocolate, salted caramel, everuthing salted.  Aromatic smoke. After a couple if sips the aroma changed into coffee with milk. Honey. On the palate it is marvelous. Coffee, toffee. Salt has risen only to become a pepper bomb. Aftertaste is smokey, peppery. Ginger and toffee. Very straightforward but amazing. Overall, at this price point, you just can get any better whiskies. The Cognac Casks have given this dram the bitter chocolate / coffee / cocoa profile which i find very interesting since those are not usual notes you can find on a Talisker. A wonderful single malt, my score is 95 over 100. I love Talisker.

Nose: Gentle brine notes and very soft smoke. Dried fruit and malt sweetness with a pepper kick. Palate: Rich fruits with a slight ashy and mineral background. The Talisker pepper note pulls through. Finish: Slightly drying smoke, with brine, pepper and some fruit. The cognac casks seem to tame the Talisker smoke and pepper, but add a fruitier note without it becoming too sweet. 7.5/10

Nose: Salt, seaside, toffee Palate: Salted caramel with abundance of sea salt, toasy fizziness Finish: Long with lots of salt Comments: The best talisker to date

Nose: Apple, Tobacco, Oak Palate: Raisin, Chocolate, Toffee, Black Pepper, Smoke Finish: Dark Chocolate, Raisin, Oak