Talisker – Surge (70cl, 45.8%)

Talisker Surge is a single malt from the distillery at Carbost on the Isle of Skye. It matured in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak casks, being the first time the casks were used for Scotch whisky, and combines the maritime, smoky side of Talisker with pronounced sweetness. The edition was introduced in 2022 for international travel retail. It is bottled at 45.8% in a 70cl bottle, with a coastal design and coloured lightning flashes on the packaging. The nose opens sweet with wild berries, crème brûlée and banana ice cream, then cream soda, butterscotch and smoky toasted pine nuts with a little chilli. The palate has brioche, banana and toffee, then peaches, ginger, oak smoke and pepper. The finish is chilli and black pepper, fading to distant bonfire smoke and toasted marshmallow.