Talisker Dark Storm Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)

"...this is just brimming with vitality and purpose." - Jim Murray

There's 'Storm' and then there's 'Dark Storm': One is ubiquitous, the other frustratingly difficult to find yet generally considered the most desirable NAS expression from a distillery that excels in youth. Judging by the success of previous shipments, we know Dark Storm is a favourite of many who otherwise would have to be traveling internationally to buy it. The peatiest whisky Talisker produce, maturation in heavily charred casks imparts even more smoke and pepper to an already intense malt. The result is extreme yet balanced. We've managed to secure another parcel while maintaining the sharpest price possible. One litre duty free exclusive bottling. 45.8% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... some pretty chunky peat and spice is blown around the glass, certainly big enough to take the muscovado sugars head on...the sugars on the nose appear to multiply on delivery, as does the bourbon-style tannin-led liquorice and hickory...all is fresh and balanced enough to come good, even with some very late spices; much more like it! Unlike the storm which appeared to labour under some different American oak, this is just brimming with vitality and purpose. 92 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2016

...Dark Storm is exclusive to Travel Retail outlets, and maturation has taken place in deeply charred casks. Rich, fruity spices on the nose, quite citric, with brine and aromatic smoke. The smoke elbows its way to the fore in time. Full, sweet, fruity flavors on the palate, some vanilla, then smoke, licorice, and spice hit home. A classic Talisker smoke and chili finish, but cranked up a notch or two!
89 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Winter 2013)

...Liked this baby when it first came out, although the 10 always reigned supreme in my book. Colour: gold. Nose: it does nose young, but not immature. It’s big Talisker, rather emphatic and even slightly ‘in your face’, with nice notes of fermenting leaves and fruits, dried kelp (more dried kelp than on an inaccessible beach), a very grassy/leafy smokiness, and not that many pencil shavings, while earliest version had more of that. Notes of bitter marmalade. Mouth: seriously, this is super good, if a tad cloying. They seem to have pushed the ashes and the drying parts, and lowered the fruits. Tends to become a little bitter, on Fernet Branca, various artichoke liqueurs, ginger, heavy cinnamon… The wood sure has a lot to say here. Finish: long, drying, very smoky and extremely spicy. Some oak in the aftertaste. Comments: a comedian that goes a little overboard, but it’s still one of my favourite young Taliskers. Like ‘Storm’ better, though – and of course the 10.  83 points - whiskyfun.com