Talisker – 30 Year Old 2023 (70cl, 49.5%)

This is a 30 year old Talisker single malt from the Isle of Skye, bottled in 2023 at its natural cask strength of 49.5%. The whisky comes from refill ex-bourbon casks, and 2,610 bottles of 70cl were filled. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colour. Ripe apple, vanilla and nutty sweetness sit alongside smoke and gentle saltiness. Talisker's pepper is still recognisable, though softer after such long maturation. The nose shows fresh fruit, ripe apple, oak spice and soft vanilla, with tropical fruit, white pepper and dark chocolate emerging. The palate has warm smoke and mild salt, then fruit, smouldering embers and pecan fudge. The finish is long, with fruit, toffee, sea air and black pepper.