Talisker Port Ruighe

We bought this bottle in Paris on one of the last days of our vacation there last September, but it's taken me a while to review it, mostly due to benign neglect. Talisker adds color to their whiskies, so I'm not sure that it matters much, but this whiskey has taken on some of the rich, ruby-brown shade that one would expect from a port-finished whisky. Port Ruighe has great balance between the rugged nature of the underlying single malt and the influence of the port finish, which could make other whiskies overly sweet (I'm imagining a port-finished Balvenie and shuddering). The initial scents are earthy and briny, before a powerful wash of vanilla and chocolate icing takes over, and then an enduring base layer of orange and slight smoke. Compared to the bountiful nose, the palate opens up more reluctantly. The flavor has herbal and youthful hints at the outset, but the mid-palate has abundant milk chocolate and caramel, along with some more citrus and the first emergence of Talisker's signature pepper. Talisker produces fairly complex single malts, without being overly challenging, and this one is no exception. The port sweetness shines through at the end, accompanied by mild smoke, citrus, and pepper. The finish is more bitter than I would like, but it's a minor flaw. Port Ruighe has a lengthy coda but doesn't overstay its welcome. Compared to Talisker's other bottlings, Port Ruighe is more of a sweet, dessert dram, and a solid value play at $60 or so overseas.

Soft sweet, then peat smoke. The flavours seem Disconnected

voni pali

Black Rock