A sensational new release from Diageo and the Talisker distillery. The Talisker Bodega 41 Year Old was once distilled in 1978 and bottled in 2019, making it the oldest whisky ever released from the Isle of Skye, from the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye. The 41 Year Old whisky, made by the sea in Scotland, has been expertly finished in Manzanilla Sherry casks from Delgado Zuleta. Bottled at a cask strength of 50.7% ABV to allow the drinker to experience the whisky in its purest, most powerful form. That is the 2nd in a 3 part series showcasing the oldest official bottlings from the distillery, and follows on from last years 40 year old

Appearance – Bright amber with deep golden lights. Astonishingly good beading for this strength.

Nose – A mild nose-feel, dry and maritime overall, with light prickle from the sheer characyer of the spirit. The aroma presents salty-spicy top-notes and a sweet, mellow fruity middle with hints of fairly caramelised apple crumble. The base is evenly maritime, with faded boat varnish, dried fish, and only a suggestion of smok. A drop of water alters this very little, but brings up more smoky notes. Now softer overall.

Body – Medium to full

Palate – Great to drink at natural strength, when the taste seamlessly moves from sweetness through saltiness to pepper, smoke, fire and brimstone and is delicious to drink straight. The mouth-filling texture is wealthy and smooth. The taste starts with the sweetness of soft fudge, then a balancing saltiness step by step yeilds to a peppery heat that lasts and lasts. The expected chilli-pepper kick on the back is gloriously unmuted. Sweeter, more savoury and smoky when reduced, it’s still delicious, at the same time as the pepper still finds a way through.

Finish – Long, hot, smoky and delicious, with mouth-cooling Sichuan pepper in the aftertaste amid lingering threads of peat smoke. Adding water reduces the heat at the same time as lengthening the finish.

Secret Orkney Whisky
Wooden Box
70cl / 700ml
50.7% ABV
Produced in Scotland