After an absence of a few years the Talisker 30 Years returns to the world stage in 2021. Diageo just announced in a press release that the three decades old single malt from Skye will become part of a limited annual release. It’s the first new edition since 2018 (although I the most recent entry on Whiskybase is for 2017).
The packaging has received an overhaul and is more in line with the current look and feel of the Talisker core range. Also—and it would be a criminal offense if it wasn’t—the press release thankfully mentions the new Talisker 30 Years is both non-coloured and non-chill filtered. Just over 3,200 bottles will be released worldwide. Here’s what Lieke Homkes, Global Marketing Manager for Talisker, has to say.
“This very special whisky is the perfect embodiment of our distillery’s character and a true testament to the craftsmanship and nurturing it has received over the past three decades”, she explains. “These bottles come from highly limited casks that were selected and set aside due to its unique profile. Each bottle holds an individual number and its vintage year making it the perfect opportunity to build a progressive collection.”
The rest of the press release doesn’t offer too much in the way of useful information. It waxes lyrically about the “the summits of Skye, providing a rare invitation to reach the very pinnacle of the range, where true character awaits.” However, one more interesting tidbit about the new Talisker 30 Years is provided: the whisky itself has matured in American oak refill casks. Which cask types exactly? Your guess is as good as mine.
The nose provides a “mild yet vibrant fruity sensation when nosing, which quickly fades into lush seaweed and charred sticks.” The flavour palette includes “smoke […] with creamy oak. Almond milk and light, sweet stone fruits emerge, joined by a trace of salt.”
Earlier releases of the Talisker 30 Years were cask strength, but they haven’t been since 2010. The bottling strength of the new Talisker 30 Years isn’t mentioned in the press release, but the bottle renderings include a strength of 48.5 percent abv. That’s kind of remarkable, because Talisker’s standard strength sits at 45.8 percent. So, part of me thinks I might’ve read that wrong OR that the images are wrong.
And finally, I suppose you’d like to know the recommended retail price. Of course it’s not going to be cheap, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise: £850 in the UK. And I’ve seen one German shop that is offering it for just below 1000 euro.
Check out some of my Talisker reviews, including one of an earlier batch of the Talisker 30 Years:
