Talisker Dark Storm

Nose: A rich, earthy and oily smokiness that is bold and assertive but not sharp. A satisfying feast of spicy stewed fruit and bacon cooked over a driftwood campfire on a windswept beach with thunderheads brooding on the horizon. The dry glass is smoke, but not Islay smoke - more heathery and gentle. Palate: Perfectly sweetly astringent (now *that's* a trick to pull off!), iodine, and stewed fruit flavours peeking from behind the couch in anticipation of pouncing. Not complex, but deep and rewarding with a firm but subtle underlying oakiness. Finish: Long, smoky, salty and altogether divine. I could drink this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I very much enjoy Talisker expressions, especially the 10 and 18 year, but this adds a confident, mature smokiness to the normal distillery character. Not long ago I described Bowmore Tempest as a roaring typhoon, but this is an altogether more different, introspective type of storm. Pour a dram of this and settle back in front of the fire to watch the rain lash the windows. 4 stars without hesitation. Don't hurry this one - savour every drop. ADDENDUM - The official Distiller tasting notes are right on target, but a score of 84 is too stingy. Talisker Skye was given 85 for heaven’s sake and this is way better. Higher 80s, at least, around the same as Storm. "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars)

Smoke from charred barrels dominates. Good but there are better options. Definitely a Talisker