Talisker Port Ruighe

Island or Islay? That's my present quandary. Where do my preferred whiskies primarily originate? I'm quite certain that Arran, Highland Park, and Talisker occupy the top spots. I suspect that after sampling the remaining Taliskers I have lined up, I'll have my answer, at least for now. I've had six Taliskers so far, with eight more in this series to enjoy. Tonight, I'm opening Port Ruighe. It's named after the historic trading port on the Isle of Skye, which, incidentally, was used for trading... port. This was Talisker's second non-age-statement release in 2013 and has remained available, which may be a good sign. Port Ruighe is a blend of whiskies matured in European and American oak refill casks and heavily charred casks, finished in ex-port casks. Nose: Quite intense. A powerful wave of smoky wood, a touch of iodine and adhesive bandages, waxiness, and the signature Talisker salty sea spray. The port cask influence is subtle to me, offering a mild chocolate note, a faint hint of citrus peel, and an overripe plum. Peppery wood spice emerges eventually. This nose is big, bold, and perhaps a bit chaotic, with much to explore. As it sat, jammy fig notes became noticeable. Palate: An oily and cautionously tannic texture. A wonderful smoky and black pepper introduction leads to a pleasing salty minerality. This is undeniably Talisker. The deviation appears next. Unlike the gentle sweetness of the 10-year-old, this has a thicker, dark, sticky red fruit sweetness, hints of bright orange oil, and a creamy milk chocolate. Finish: Medium-long. Fresh red chili spice, a hint of coffee bitterness, a faint syrupy red fruit sweetness, and a lingering smoky farewell reminiscent of a beach bonfire. I'm torn. I tried this a few years back at a shop but didn't take notes. My current impression is similar to my memory. While the nose suggests a variety of flavors, it doesn't quite deliver on the promise. The individual components are enjoyable, but something doesn't quite harmonize between the excellent core Talisker characteristics and the contrasting sticky-sweetness from the port cask influence. There's also a detracting wood element that imparts a dulling astringency rather than a delicate spice lift. And then there's the price. The cost doesn't diminish the whisky's quality, but for me, it's AUD$158.99, or $115 online when on sale. The 10-year-old is about AUD$98. That makes the decision easy. Typically, I'm a big fan of port casks, but this feels hurried, ill-considered, and unbalanced. My lowest Talisker rating to date. However, I stand by my initial thoughts! [Shown with a sapphire-garnet-biotite gneiss from Zazafosty Quarry, Madagascar. A high-temperature metamorphic rock formed from original muddy sediments during extreme metamorphism approximately 494 million years ago.] Talisker running scores: T10: 4/5 T18: 4.75/5 T8 2021 Special Release: 4.5/5 Skye: 3.25/5 Port Ruighe: 2.75/5 57 North: 4.25/5 X Parley Wilder Seas: 4.25/5

Aroma: Classic Talisker, you can sense the sea within. Peat, brackish, burnt rubber, bonfire. Impossible not to recognize it! Palate: Pleasant warmth that spreads through the mouth, sweet, honeyed. The brackishness recedes, making way for the delicacy and warmth provided by aging in port barrels. Finish: Long, the heat remains and it's splendid. I'm not a fan of NAS (Non-Age Statement) whiskies, but an excellent job has been done here: a whisky that appears to be at least 18 years old due to its body. Rating 4.25 ____________________________________ Aroma: Classic Talisker, you feel the sea inside. Peat, brackish, burnt rubber. You can't go wrong. Palate: Pleasant warmth that pervades the mouth, sweet, honeyed. The brackishness moves away to make room for the delicacy and warmth from aging in port casks. Finish: Long, the heat remains and it is splendid. I am not a fan of NAS, an excellent job has been done here: a whisky that seems to be at least 18 years old for its body. Rating 4.25

Aroma: A boozy, spiced cinnamon and ripe red apple scent. It evokes the autumn season; very crisp and orchard-like. An earthy smoke. A slight tartness and peppery note. Taste: Sweet and sour! Again, very red apple and a spicy, Christmas-like note. The wine/port influence is noticeable. Slightly woody and dry towards the middle of the palate. Citrusy orange peel is accompanied by a very gentle smoke. Not nearly as much as I typically expect from a Talisker. It tastes crisp and more on the youthful side (not entirely a bad thing and to be expected). Dark earthy notes are present throughout. Finish: A short to medium finish. It's sweet but leans towards the dry side. It has a very ripe fruit juice and cocktail flavor. The lingering smoke isn't strong to me at all. Red fruit and woody sultanas are what remain with me the most. The wine-like tartness is present throughout.

A rich, Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Talisker Distillery, located in Carbost, on the Isle of Skye, in the Islands region of Scotland. It was finished in Port casks after an initial maturation in refill American & European casks (essentially the Talisker 10-Year-Old finished in port casks). It begins aromatically with notes of sea spray, vanilla, Crayola crayons, turf, raisins, putty, Jaffa cake, orange pith, plum & white chocolate; its rich & smoky life adds notes of berries, peat, sponge cake, damson jam, chocolate raisins, gingerbread & chili; culminating in a thick & chewy death with notes of milk chocolate, cocoa, mocha, pepper & oak. January 2020 / August 2022

This is a wonderfully accessible whisky, especially for those who enjoy exploring the spectrum between Highland and Islay styles, or for individuals venturing into peated spirits. The aroma is delightful, a mix of sweet and sour like overripe fruit, with some salt and a hint of peat. The taste is great; that rich fruitiness combines with a slight brininess and wood. There's a touch of saltiness. Yet, the substantial, grain-rich body of a proper whisky remains the foundation of the entire sip.

Nose: Sea spray with a smell of driftwood, or like being at a dock. Taste: Spicy with chili/cinnamon and quite waxy in flavor (I dislike that a bit) with a few drops of water revealing some peat, which is great. Finish: Very straightforward. Short-lived. Like a Hershey Kiss. I rated this one a 3.75 because my palate found the flavor a little weaker than anticipated, but I am a heavy peat drinker.