House Greyjoy Talisker Select Reserve (45.8%, OB, 2019)

• ABV: 45.8%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB, Diageo, Game of Thrones
• Category: Island single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £48.49
• Origin: Talisker Distillery
• Vintage: undeclared

What they say

House Greyjoy rules the Iron Islands and worships the Drowned God. Talisker was a natural pair for House Greyjoy as this single malt is distilled on the shores of the Isle of Skye, one of the most remote and rugged areas of Scotland.

The layered flavours and signature maritime character of Talisker Select Reserve are the result of its wave-battered shores. This liquid is an intense smoky single malt scotch with spicy, powerful and sweet elements combined with maritime flavours.

Official tasting notes:

• Appearance: Golden copper colour.
• Nose: The nose is quintessentially Talisker with the signature notes of dry Sichuan peppery smoke and dark chocolate.
• Palate: The salted caramel with chili flakes explode into a smoky fruit cake or spice.
• Finish: The finish is long and complex with a lasting character of leather.

What I say

Representing House Greyjoy, another NAS bottling this time hailing from Talisker distillery on Skye. As an avid fan of Talisker I took the chance on this bottling simply to try another expression. This is labelled as Select Reserve, and is presented without an age statement so I’m guessing young ~ 8yo or less. Interestingly Talisker released an 8yo Cask Strength as part of the 2018 Special Releases.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Dark amber gold (11/20), medium-large tears and thick legs.
• Nose: Sweet, peaches, barley, buttery, salted caramel then soft smoke, briny green olives, tobacco leaf, pepper and chocolate.
• Taste: Soft and buttery, some dry cereals and milled barley flour, dusty, touch of spiced pepper and chilli, black pepper, salted caramel, apple, leather, but overall buttery green olives in brine.
• Finish: Long, peppery, leather, spiced fruit cake.

Overall

A classic Talisker, probably a little youngish but with plenty of good peppery smoke and brine, some herbality. My first impression was this was much more buttery/oily/i.e. young compared to drier aged Taliskers, with more time and contemplation I can’t shake that briny green olive nature to this which I really like.

Score 83/100

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