Single Malt Whisky, Scotland / Highlands

Treasure from the Isle of Skye, brought to us by Gordon & MacPhail! This remarkable find was distilled at Talisker in 1987, and spent the next 39 years slumbering in a single refill sherry butt. The cask was cracked open in 2026, yielding 451 cask strength bottles for the Connoisseurs Choice collection.

Nose: a very refined and pure spirit. Soft smoke, a dusty coal bin, rooty notes and cold Lapsang tea. Mild black pepper notes, a little vegetal oil and old leather. Then light hints of camphor with a bit of raisin sweetness and  citrusy notes (dried orange peel and bergamot oil). The expected coastal side is not very prominent here, but there’s a hint of oyster juice in the background.

Mouth: Great intensity, now more firmly coastal. Black pepper again, along with salty notes, fish oil, hints of iodine and cold ashes. One or two Taggiasche olives. Beautiful ‘old’ peat smoke underneath. Mid-palate the citrus notes make it slightly rounder again. Then some herbal notes, light resinous notes, tobacco and hints of black tea towards the end.

Finish: Just medium long, with more ashes, subtle pepper and a mild resinous / medicIal edge.