TALISKER INTRODUCES NEW PORT-FINISHED SINGLE MALT WHISKY – Scotch Whisky News
TALISKER INTRODUCES NEW PORT-FINISHED SINGLE MALT WHISKY
Following the successful launch of TALISKER STORM™ in March, the famous Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Isle of Skye is now acquiring another new family member, this time enriched by double maturation in port cask wood.
It has been named TALISKER PORT RUIGHE™, after the principal town and port on the Isle of Skye, and as a tribute to the great Scottish trading-houses such as the Cockburns, Grahams and Symingtons who braved the high seas and were instrumental in the creation and global growth of the port wine trade.
TALISKER PORT RUIGHE combines the powerful smoky maritime character of Talisker with succulent sweet notes of rich berry fruits for a superb contrasting taste experience. (Full tasting notes)
Like the recently released Talisker Storm, TALISKER PORT RUIGHE is a permanent addition to the current core range of Talisker single malt whiskies. It is being introduced to offer Talisker consumers a further intriguing flavour dimension of this celebrated and distinctive island single malt whisky.
It will be available from mid-April 2013 in whisky specialist retailers in Western European markets. Talisker Port Ruighe will have a Recommended Retail Price at a premium of 20/25% to the price of Talisker 10 year old. It is bottled at the traditional Talisker strength of 45.8% ABV, without an age statement.
Master Blender Maureen Robinson explained:
“Talisker Port Ruighe is a combination of spirit that has been matured in American Oak and European Oak refill casks in the traditional manner along with spirit that has been filled into specially conditioned deeply charred casks. The spirit is then finished in casks that have previously held Port Wine which endows it with spicy fruit notes. These bond elegantly with that clean, fresh smokiness that signals its essential Talisker character.”
Talisker Distiller Manager Mark Lochhead added:
“Talisker lovers are getting spoiled this spring! After Talisker Storm, which has been very well received, we’re now offering a contrasting taste experience that will intrigue whisky drinkers who enjoy a hint of aromatic fruit and richness with their Talisker smoke. It’s still very much a true Talisker, but from a different, memorable angle.”
TALISKER PORT RUIGHE – TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Dark, rich amber gold.
Nose: Sweet smokiness of a fading wood fire with the fruity richness of ripe plums. The smoke soon parts to reveal a layer of honeyed malt and creamy toffee. Further in, there’s a subtle medley of cedar-wood, menthol and refreshing red fruit, gently edged by dark chocolate and vanilla. It’s softer with water, but still sweet, with smoke and maritime notes. Ripe red fruit emerges on a bed of rich, sweet toffee, while the smoke recedes in favour of floral notes on a buttery biscuit base, still with hints of menthol and cedar.
Body: Medium. Softly textured.
Palate: Smooth and mouth-coating: the spicy pepper on the tongue rapidly grows into peatiness with a difference, as a creamy smokiness mingles with spice and dark fruits. The earthy, soft notes found in a fine chocolate tart are balanced by the bite of red fruit, cherry or plum; then a wave of softly drying volcanic smoke introduces superb, mouth-filling malt. It’s softer and sweeter with water; rounded and minty, with that spicy wood leading a sublime, smoky-savoury and sweetly aromatic flavour development.
Finish: Long, memorable and mouth-filling, leaving on the tongue an appealing and intense cocoa-rich drying smokiness.
