Talisker Special Release 2020 8 years old Single Malt Whisky Skye 70 cl 57,9%

Talisker had never used rum casks before 2020. Then came Special Release 2020, and suddenly the distillery's salty, peppery backbone found itself sharing space with demerara sugar and tropical fruit from the Caribbean - a combination never seen before or since.

Expert Description

Talisker Special Release 2020 8 Year Old is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, finished in ex-rum casks from the Caribbean and bottled at a natural cask strength of 57.9%. It belongs to the "Rare by Nature" collection, Diageo's 2020 Special Releases, and marked the first time the distillery used rum casks for a finish.

The young age lets Talisker's raw, maritime character stand right at the front, while the rum casks add a sweeter, more tropical layer on top. The colour is gold with a faint greenish tinge, and at just 8 years old this whisky shows the distillery's power without the polish that older releases can carry.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers sweet, maritime salt, molasses and dried seaweed, with notes of demerara sugar and tropical fruit from the rum casks. Underneath sits a smoky base with a trace of charred meat and white pepper.

Palate

The palate is soft and full with an explosion of salted caramel, quickly followed by Talisker's trademark pepper. Banana, coconut and sugar cane from the rum casks bring a sweetness that balances the drying, spicy finish.

Finish

The finish is long and evolves with mint, burnt caramel and a lightly bitter cocoa note, while the pepper lingers.

Specifications

Name: Special Release 2020
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 57.9%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finished in ex-rum casks from the Caribbean
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2011
Edition: Special Releases 2020 - Rare by Nature
EAN no.: 5000281063461

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Sweet · Spicy · Tropical

Investment Potential

High - a discontinued 2020 vintage that was Talisker's first ever rum cask finish, and this kind of first-of-its-kind release tends to gain the most value on the secondary market.

Did You Know?

Special Release 2020 marked the first time in Talisker's history that the distillery used rum casks for a finish - something never seen before and never repeated since.

See our full range of Talisker

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently Asked Questions about Talisker Special Release 2020 8 Year Old

Is Talisker Special Release 2020 8 Year Old worth buying?

The case rests on its rarity - it was Talisker's first and only rum cask finish, it is discontinued, and this kind of landmark first release is typically sought after among collectors.

What do the rum casks add to the flavour?

They bring sweetness from demerara sugar, banana and coconut, layered over Talisker's salty, peppery core without pushing the smoke aside. The result is a more tropical, sweeter take than the classic 10 Year Old.

Should you add water to Talisker Special Release 2020?

Yes, a drop or two - the 57.9% strength opens up noticeably with a little water, letting the caramel and rum notes come through more clearly. Serve it in a whisky glass with a narrow opening.

Why is it only 8 years old?

The age is deliberately young so the fresh, raw Talisker character stays clearly at the front, while the rum casks work on the surface of the flavour rather than dominating the whole profile the way long maturation would.

Does Talisker Special Release 2020 make a good gift for a collector?

Yes - it combines a discontinued vintage, a unique cask type and a cask strength bottling, making it a natural gift for someone who has already tried Talisker's core range.

How does this differ from other island whiskies?

Where many island distilleries rely on sherry or bourbon casks, the rum cask finish is unique to this release. See more in our range of rum if you want to compare the flavour world directly.