Talisker has debuted a new Scotch malt as a travel retail franchise. Called Talisker Surge, it’s said to offer “flames of rising spice and rich honeyed berries that light up the palate.”
Talisker Surge, according to those behind it, is an unaged expression that has been finished in American Bourbon casks. This gives what is described as “a more delicious sweet flavor. The extra layer of spice finishes this rich malt with a subtle smoky profile, while still retaining all the distinctive maritime characteristics of this iconic coastal distillery.”
“Talisker Surge is made from the sea,” said Ewan Gunn, Diageo’s Senior Global Scotch Whiskey Ambassador, in a prepared statement, “from rugged coastlines and powerful storms, to warming sunshine and soaring skies, the powers of The Isle of Skye runs through our veins and animates our souls.
Talisker has debuted a new Scotch malt as a travel retail franchise. Called Talisker Surge, it’s said to offer “flames of rising spice and rich honeyed berries that light up the palate.” (image via Talisker)
“The spirit of that unique place is captured within this richly spiced whiskey and instantly transports adventurous travelers to this amazing island.”
Talisker Surge is best enjoyed neat or with a splash of water. This whiskey is bottled at an ABV of 45.8% and will be available at major airports worldwide for £85 / €95 / $115 for a 70cl bottle. This includes major airports across Europe and the UK. It will then become available in APAC from October 2022 before launching in Australia in December 2022.
Official tasting notes are below.
Talisker Surge has an initial sweetness, with wild berries, Crème Brule, banana split, American cream soda and butterscotch. Soon the smoke of roasted pine nuts and hints of aromatic chillies begin to develop and the intensity and power of this Scotch begins to shine through.
As with the nose, the palate begins softly, with immediate sweetness of croissants and banoffee pie before a tropical note of preserved peaches. It’s not long before the true essence of Talisker emerges, with sweet marine notes, fresh ginger skin and a crescendo of oak smoke and peppery spice.
In the end it’s the powerful notes that linger – hot chili spice and cracked black pepper, fading into a distant puff of smoke from the embers of the beach campfire with a final, faint hint of toasted marshmallow.
