Talisker bottled the aromas of a maritime clifftop trail in the 2012 release of this whisky: the sea spray and heather are so transporting that I swear I could feel a coastal breeze coming from the glass. It’s hard to escape that reverie, but search beyond the island imagery and you’ll find hints of lemon, caramel candy and even fennel. The flavors start soft in the mouth and then burst mid-palate into a spicy mix of black pepper and candied ginger. It’s quite unexpected and overwhelming at first. When the ginger eventually fades after what seems like several minutes, the finish turns to dry tannins. Water accentuates the caramel on the nose and brings out winey/sherry notes. The taste gains a hint of orange and the finish some caramelized sugar and a touch of smoke. It’s a complex whisky that demands attention, particularly to tease out the flavors beneath the explosive pepper mid-palate. Despite it’s beguiling nose, it doesn’t scale the heights of the 18 for all-round pleasure, but it would be nice to have a bottle on hand for times that demand a fantasy island escape. If only I hadn’t finished my 2oz sample in one sitting.