Talisker has unveiled the 2023 limited-edition release of its 30 Year Old Single Malt whisky. Honoring its distillery home and legacy of seafood pairings, this Scotch was created to pay tribute to the Isle’s natural wonders.
Selected annually from refill American Oak casks, Talisker 30 Year Old is non-colored and non-chill filtered and bottled at natural cask strength. It is an elegant and complex whisky with the distillery’s hallmarks of soaring sweet smoke and pointy pepperiness.
“The three decades spent in oak casks allow Talisker’s distillery character to develop refined and exquisite qualities,” said Stuart Morrison, Master Blender and Whisky Specialist at Diageo. “As the spirit ages through its twenties, the fruit flavors become even more complex, giving us fragrant tropical notes and the peppery smokiness that moves from coal-tar to a warming, smoldering bonfire. A truly spectacular Talisker liquid, every sip is a celebration of the magnificence of Skye.”
Bottled at a natural cask strength of 49.6% ABV, the whisky offers aromas of freshly cut orchard fruits, waxy red apples, fragrant white pepper, cinder toffee, and a subtle creaminess. A fresh maritime breeze passes, alongside the growing presence of tropical fruits, cocoa nibs and a beach bonfire. The palate delivers a warming smokiness with a chili pepper prickle and a gentle salinity, fading to reveal layers of apple and pear, smoldering embers, and notes of spicy oak. There’s a lingering warmth on the finish with a peppery and cinnamon tingle alongside notes of ripe fruit, roasted hazelnut and a hint of vanilla.
To celebrate the release in the U.S., Talisker has joined forces with Real Oyster Cult to offer seafood and whisky fanatics curated pairings alongside the Single Malt. The coastal origins of Talisker liquid create the whisky’s signature maritime and briny notes – making it the perfect Scotch for oyster and caviar pairings.
Real Oyster Cult delivers an oyster bar experience to doors across the U.S., curating seasonal, fresh oysters from over 100 farms across North America, plus delectable shellfish and caviar. They also farm oysters locally in Duxbury, MA on Cape Cod Bay, including Sailor’s Valentine that pairs perfectly with the warming smokiness and gentle salinity of Talisker 30 Year Old.
Additionally, Talisker is partnering with actor and writer Peter Gadiot to inspire individuals to embrace the outdoors and reconnect with the natural world. “Much like Talisker, Peter embodies the rugged luxury and coastal spirit, spending the majority of his free time adventuring outside,” says the brand. “Together, they aim to ignite a sense of adventure, inviting whisky aficionados to raise a glass to the wild spirits within them.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Talisker, a brand that resonates deeply with my love for the untamed beauty of nature. It’s a privilege for me to commemorate the launch of Talisker 30 Year Old, a whisky that embodies the essence of time-honored craftsmanship,” said Gadiot. “Together, we embark on a remarkable journey of exploration and appreciation, toasting to the wonders of the outdoors.”
Just 3,195 bottles of Talisker 30 Year Old 2023 Edition will be made available globally and just 561 will be purchasable in the US for and will be priced at $1,099.99 USD. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
Last year, Talisker opened a new visitor center in the Isle of Skye, part of Diageo’s €185 million investment in Scotch tourism.