Talisker Brings Forth a 40-Year-Old Scotch Finished in Sherry Casks

The Talisker distillery in Scotland is looking to explore how ex-sherry cask finishing plays into the flavor profiles of its whisky. To this end it has launched the Bodega Series, so named for the homes of the sherry producers in Spain’s renowned Sherry Triangle. The first of this is a 40-year-old Scotch finished in very old ex-Amontillado sherry casks.

The new Talisker 40-Year-Old, according to those behind it, was initially drawn from what’s said to be some of the distillery’s oldest Scotch stock that’s been aging in refill casks. The distillery team here then worked with the sherry producers at Bodega Delgado Zuleta, who hand picked five old ex-Sherry casks that once held the bodega’s 40-year-old Amontillado sherry to finish the whisky in.

“This Talisker 40 Year Old, is an exquisite Single Malt Scotch Whisky which captures the age-old relationships with Delgado Zuleta and the high quality craftsmanship which took place throughout the creation of this rare expression,” said Donald Colville, Global Talisker Ambassador, in a prepared statement. “We are delighted to launch this as the first of the Bodega series and the liquid is something that we are extremely proud of.”

Plans call for just 2,000 bottles of this 40-year-old to be released in June for £2,750, or about $3,700 USD, globally. The bottles are all screen printed, and said to be “housed in a hand-crafted wood casing to evoke the many stages of this whisky’s unique history. The design is inspired by the distinguished arches of the sherry Bodegas and architecture of the sundial of Sanlucar de Barrameda where the Delgado Zuleta casks are housed.”

You’ll find official limited tasting notes for the Talisker 40 Year Old below.

A deep, crystal gold liquid which signifies an echo of the old Talisker, enhanced by the gentle accent of the Amontillado sherry casks, with rich raisin, peaty aromas and a rare sweet opulence and fruity smokiness. On the nose it’s mild and rich, with a light prickle. This is paired with the depth of the rich Delgado Zuleta Amontillado casks which is present in waves of fruit and sweetness enriching the traditional Talisker pepper.