Talisker, Bodega 2, 41 Year Old, Skye, 1978

The Talisker Bodega Series is an exploration of Talisker’s more than century-old relationship with the Spanish Sherry region and the prestigious Sherry producer Delgado Zuleta. The Series uses only the oldest and most precious liquids from the depths of Talisker’s stocks and the most special Sherry casks from Delgado Zuleta to produce unique and powerful cask strength Talisker single malts. The Talisker Bodega 41 Year Old was distilled in 1978 and bottled in 2019, making it the oldest whisky ever released from the Isle of Skye, from the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye. The second release from the Talisker Bodega Series is a forty-one year old 1978 Vintage, finished in casks from the famed Sherry triangle with only 2,000 bottles. Bright amber with deep golden lights in colour, with astonishingly good beading for this strength. On the nose it is mild and dry with a maritime feel overall. The aroma presents salty-spicy top-notes and a sweet, mellow fruity middle with hints of slightly caramelised apple crumble. The base is lightly maritime, with faded boat varnish, dried fish, and just a suggestion of smoke. On the palate it seamlessly moves from sweetness through saltiness to pepper, smoke, fire and brimstone and is delicious to drink straight. The mouth-filling texture is rich and smooth. The sweetness of soft fudge balances with a saltiness that gradually yields to a peppery heat which lasts and lasts. The expected chilli-pepper kick at the back is gloriously unmuted. Sweeter, more savoury and smoky when reduced, it’s still delicious, while the pepper still finds a way through. Long, hot, smoky and delicious, with mouth-cooling Sichuan pepper in the aftertaste amid lingering threads of peat smoke.