Talisker – 45 Year Old Glacial Edge (70cl, 49.8%)

This is a 45 year old single malt from Talisker on the Isle of Skye, made in collaboration with the environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans. After its long maturation, it was finished in heavily charred American oak casks that had been treated in the cold. Twelve of those casks were taken to the Canadian Arctic and left for 96 hours in extremely low temperatures and icy winds, which split the staves and deepened the contact between whisky and wood. It is bottled at 49.8%, non-chill-filtered and without added colour. The nose is rich, dry and soft, with seaweed, iodine, chalk, sea salt, dried fruit, vanilla and a little smoke. The palate is oily, with buttery toffee, salted caramel, pepper and chilli. The finish is very long and waxy.