TradeFour Taliskers
Four perfect pairings
We've matched whisky in the below Talisker range with something delicious to eat. Four courses, lightest to richest. Pull up a chair.
Talisker has been making whisky on the shores of Skye since 1830, and you can taste the coast in every drop: sweet smoke, sea salt and that famous peppery kick. Leave the same spirit in different casks, though, and it heads off in different directions, from soft and sweet to rich and fruity. Which makes the range a cracking match for food. Here’s what we’d eat with each one.
The Menu
Lightest first, richest last. Pick a course to jump to it.
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Tasting Notes
First Course
Talisker Skye with Smoked Salmon
Skye is the easy-going member of the family. Matured in refill and toasted American oak, it's softer and sweeter than the rest of the range, with the smoke turned down to a gentle glow. That makes it a natural with smoked salmon: the sweetness picks up the richness of the fish, and the smoke meets smoke halfway rather than shouting over it.
HOW TO SERVE IT
Drape the salmon over thin slices of dark rye sourdough, squeeze over a little lemon and finish with a sprig of dill.
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Tasting Notes
Second Course
Talisker 10 with Oysters and Black Pepper
The classic, and the one that made Talisker's name: ruggedly maritime, with sweet smoke, peat and a peppery finish. Put it next to a fresh oyster and you get salt meeting salt and smoke meeting brine, with a crack of black pepper to tie the knot. If there's a more Skye way to start dinner, we haven't found it.
HOW TO SERVE IT
Add a few drops of Talisker 10 to a freshly shucked oyster with a crack of black pepper, then enjoy a sip of the 10 alongside.
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Tasting notes
Cheese Course
Talisker Port Ruighe with Stilton
Port and Stilton is a British institution, so we've given it a smoky, coastal twist. Port Ruighe (say it 'port-ree') is finished in Port casks, which add rich red fruit and a little extra sweetness to Talisker's trademark smoke. Next to a creamy, salty wedge of Stilton, it might just retire the port decanter for good.
HOW TO SERVE IT
A generous wedge of Stilton, a slice of crusty sourdough and a dram poured neat. Take the cheese out of the fridge an hour before.
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Tasting notes
Pudding
Talisker Distillers Edition with Sea Salt Dark Chocolate
Distillers Edition takes Talisker and gives it a second maturation in Amoroso sherry casks, wrapping the smoke in rich, dried-fruit sweetness. Pair it with dark chocolate and a pinch of flaky sea salt, and the salt pulls everything straight back to the shoreline. Pudding and a nightcap in one.
HOW TO SERVE IT
Break up a bar of 70% dark chocolate, scatter over a few flakes of sea salt and let a square melt as you sip.
Host your own Talisker Tasting
Got all four? You've got a dinner party.
Pour small measures, work from lightest to richest, and keep a jug of water on the table.
1.
Sip First
2.
Then Take a Bite
3.
Sip Again
Keep Exploring
Talisker offers whisky lovers the chance to experience a truly elemental island single malt.
