You can spend years waiting for a new release in Talisker's core range then two come along at once! Hot on the heels of Talisker Storm in early 2013 comes Talisker's Port Ruighe, pronounced 'Port Ree'.
This no age statement release is finished in Port wine casks, imparting a new dimension to this Isle of Skye single malt.
After a wave of initial sea spray, the nose becomes more complex with Crayola crayons, orange pith and a touch of white chocolate. Demerara and even sticking plaster emerge briefly along with plummy, umeshu notes.
Initial characteristic Talisker brine once again but much sweeter than usual. Thick and mouth coating like the Storm with chilli and a little chocolate orange. Increasingly smoky - much smokier than the nose suggests.
Milk chocolate becomes cocoa and oak with mocha notes and the faintest hint of that orange pith once again.
Alongside the distillery style there are similarities with Talisker Storm with the thicker, oilier mouthfeel and wood smoke. Port Ruighe has taken on additional characteristics from the Port casks however, adding sweetness and different notes such as plum and chocolate.
This is an excellent Talisker but I wish the edges weren't rounded. It is not even close to the Distillers Edition which I love so much. All in all this is a fine scotch and glad I purchased it but not over the DE.
The new range of Taliskers (Storm, Dark Storm and Port Ruighe) are all a bit disappointing I'm afraid. Invented by marketing people, and a bit uninspired. The PR is quite ok, but if you want a gentle, complex Talisker with a sweet side to it, just get the Distillers Edition.
I firmly believed for a number of years (since my first and last bottle of Laphroaig) that I couldn't enjoy peaty, smoky whiskies. Talisker Port Ruighe is a game changer for me. It impressed me so much that I've now discovered that producing smoky and peaty characters involves two distinctly different processes. Charred wood here I come...!
I was fortunate enough to get this at a cracking price of £30 and honestly, I wish I had paid £44. Because that's what it deserves. An appropriate 'hit' of smoke is balanced by the effects of the Port casks. Certainly has that oily texture people have mentioned, a little bit of white pepper and that smokehouse whiff on the nose. This does it for me, and is part of an interesting direction Talisker are taking with their no age statement bottlings.
I always liked Talisker and thats why I forked out with £52 for this new release. I was not disappointed, not at all. This is a lovely drink for a warm summers evening, not as severe as the Islay whiskys I normally drink. Talisker Port Ruighe is a great combination of flavours such as honey, fruit and tar. /mike-stockholm-sweden
