Talisker Special Release 2022 Whisky 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 55.1%

Skye rarely goes gentle in November, and Talisker built its 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 for exactly that kind of weather - cask strength, younger and rawer than its older siblings, but carrying every bit of the smoke and salt the island is known for.

Expert Description

Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured across a mix of American and European oak casks and bottled at a natural cask strength of 55.1%. It belongs to Diageo's annual Special Releases programme, in which distilleries such as Talisker, Lagavulin and Mortlach each contribute an expression that steps outside the core range.

The oak brings a double layer of sweetness and tannin, while the younger age keeps Talisker's trademark pepper and smoke sharp and direct. This is the distillery showing its rawer side rather than its polished one, built for an evening that calls for a bit more intensity in the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose opens with salty sea air and peat smoke, quickly followed by citrus oil and a touch of mint. Underneath sit vanilla, green apple and toasted oak, and the high strength lifts the aromas without turning sharp.

Palate

The palate is rich and lively, with seaweed, sea spray and fresh lemon sitting alongside ripe fruit and vanilla. Talisker's pepper arrives quickly and builds into a chilli kick, while the casks add sweetness and a light oak bitterness underneath it all.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with smoke, pepper and a salty minerality that lingers well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Special Release 2022
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 55.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill bourbon casks, finished in wine casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Special Releases 2022
EAN no.: 5000281071053

Flavour Profile

Peated · Peppery · Maritime · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

Medium - an annual, limited Special Release from Diageo that has historically grown in demand among collectors once a vintage sells out.

Did You Know?

Diageo's Special Releases programme dates back to the early 2000s and gives its distilleries room to experiment with cask types and ages that never make it into the permanent range.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022

Is Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 worth buying?

It's worth considering if you value cask strength and a vintage that won't be repeated - the case rests on its rarity, its strength and Diageo's reputation for selecting standout casks for the series.

Should you add water to Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022?

A few drops of water can open up the aromas, since 55.1% can otherwise mute the finer citrus and vanilla notes. Serve it in a Glencairn glass at room temperature to get the most out of the smoke and pepper.

How smoky is this whisky?

It carries a clear but not overwhelming smokiness, driven by peat and sea salt rather than heavy tar. Coming from an Islay background, you will find it spicier and more maritime than outright smoky - try comparing it with another island whisky to feel the difference.

What do the casks add to the flavour?

First fill bourbon casks bring vanilla and sweetness, while the wine casks add tannin and dark fruit over Talisker's salty, peppery backbone. The combination gives it more depth and complexity than the standard 10 Year Old.

Does Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 make a good gift?

Yes, especially for someone who already knows and loves Talisker, or for a collector who appreciates a vintage-dated release. Its limited background makes it more than just another bottle on the shelf.

Why does Talisker always taste of pepper and smoke?

It comes down to the distillery's unusual lyne arms, which send part of the vapour back down before it reaches the outdoor worm tubs. That extra copper contact and slow condensation give Talisker its signature peppery, faintly sulphury style.