Talisker 43 Xpedition Oak (49,7%)

The Talisker 43 years old Xpedition Oak The Atlantic Challenge is the oldest Talisker distillery bottling to date. This special release has been drawn from 10 casks, with only 1830 bottles set to be released as a tribute to the distillery’s founding year when the MacAskill brothers rowed from the Isle of Eigg to the Isle of Skye and established the Talisker Distillery. Inspired by this journey, adventurer James Aiken undertook a 3,264-mile journey across the Atlantic, carrying with him wooden staves and selections of casks, following the route the rowers of the annual Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge take. Upon completion of the crossing, these staves were carefully returned to Scotland to complete the final maturation, and each bottle purchased will be accompanied by a piece of one of these very staves. This Talisker was bottled in 2021 at natural cask strength of 49,7% ABV, non chill filtered and with no added colour, as a limited release of 1830 bottles.

Nose: delicate and slightly spicy with aromas of apple, some waxy notes and layers of aromas including canvas, maritime notes, a warm beach and a whiff of smoke

Palate: delicate, rich and juicy with a hint of a sea breeze, Talisker pepper aromas, warmth and slightly drying aromas

Finish: long with a hint of sweet chilli which give it a kick