Of the few Talisker expressions I’ve tried I have yet to be disappointed so looking forward to this 2020 DE. The wine barrels are showing their influence in color, with deep ambers making this NAS seem very old indeed. Nose is very prominent with salty brine and iodine first popping out looking for attention. If you close your eyes you would swear it was a dirty martini with extra olives. Over ripe stewed fruits fill the middle, but dig down under those and the peat and char smoke not only show up but wrap everything up quite cohesively as you pull away from the glass. Palate begins as the nose ended, with lightly burnt staves starting things off. Malted cereal is next which then shifts quickly into a sweetness I wasn’t expecting. Then just as fast as things started they are over. There isn’t enough oil or proof here to make it last long enough to explore. Finish is short, with some smoky vegetal flavours and hints of wood, but like the palate it’s over fast. This is a good whisky, but it’s not great because it’s over too soon. I got this as a single pour gift back in December so not sure what a bottle costs but it feels like it would be more of an affordable offering from Talisker.