Diageo has announced the release of Talisker 44 Year Old: Forests of the Deep, the oldest Single Malt Scotch Whisky released by Talisker to date.
Talisker 44 Year Old: Forests of the Deep was created as a reflection on the power and beauty of our oceans and was inspired by an expedition led by Parley for the Oceans, the brand’s partner in ocean conservation.
With support from Talisker, Parley undertook an expedition to one of the world’s largest sea kelp forests near the Cape of Good Hope. The mission ship explored into ‘The Great African Sea Forest,’ where the expedition team of scientists, activists, and filmmakers undertook a dive into its depths. On board the ship were Talisker cask staves, which were later charred using a small amount of sustainably farmed Scottish sea kelp and stave wood shavings and used to create marine oak casks. Talisker then finished whisky that had been matured for over four decades in these marine oak casks before bottling at 49.1% ABV.
Official tasting notes for Talisker 44 Year Old: Forests of the Deep follow:
Nose: True to a Talisker of age, the nose is mellow overall, with a peppery prickle that yields slowly to rich maritime top notes with traces of seaweed, salt crystals and warmed oak, over sweeter wafts of lemon zest and toffee. Beneath these scents lie intriguing layers of aroma; hints of canvas, brine-licked sea air and a distant beach bonfire.
Palate: A big, wonderfully oily-smooth texture and umami-rich taste, as waves of smoky-sweet intensity meet the full force of the sea mid-palate. The effect lightly dries before a peppery warmth surges and smoothens. A drop of water softens the feel and brings a hint of sweetness with a pinch of salt and tingling Szechuan pepper.
Finish: Really long, with soft traces of candle wax as a sweet chilli-pepper warmth suffuses the palate, becoming mouth-cooling if water is added.
Talisker 44 Year Old: Forests of the Deep is limited 1,997 bottles globally, with 102 bottles available in the United States, and is available now at a suggested retail price of $4,499.99 for a 700 mL bottle.
Photo credit: Diageo.
Source: Diageo.