Talisker Glacial Edge 45 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

At the time of writing, this is the oldest whisky ever released from Talisker. It's also the final instalment in the Xpedition Oak series. Once again, the distillery has partnered with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organisation, Twelve heavily charred American oak casks were shipped from the Isle of Skye to Canada's Arctic ice fields. A cooper removed the cask ends and they were then left in sub-zero temperatures for four days, causing the wood to fracture and therefore increasing the surface area with which the whisky could interact during its finishing period in the casks back in Scotland. Talisker's notes say to look out for "maritime and spice notes on the nose, followed by an oily mouthfeel with chili, salted caramel, and toffee on the palate, and a long finish laced with briny salt and black pepper."  2455 bottles are available globally. 49.8% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Bottle in support of Parley and finished in ice fractured casks, that is to say in casks that have been kept in Arctic winds for 96 hours, which created cracks, thus extending the wood/spirit ratio. Not too sure that's 'traditional' by the SWA's standards, but it's good fun, it reminds me of that indie Highland Park that was finished on Mount Cervin in Switzerland. Colour: Gold. Nose: It's rather sweet, true to the character of the old Taliskers, with more camphor and aged balm than in the more recent vintages. This is followed by splendid notes of almond paste, fine oysters (the small flat ones), and roots, in particular wild carrot and gentian. There's also a bit of shoe polish and castor oil, as well as a soft and gentle tar. I have no idea what effect the finishing in 'iced casks' was meant to impart to this marvellous old Talisker, let's just say it's not obvious on the nose (no seal fat and very little dried fish, ha-ha). Mouth: Younger, perhaps it's the iced wood? Notes of grapefruit liqueur, banana, and vanilla at the start, but this modern profile quickly gives way to oysters, lemon, seaweed, sea water, salty spices, lemon balm, coriander seeds, sweet woodruff, and a bit of pine sap. The mouthfeel is perfect, with a wonderful texture. Finish: Long and really salty, it's almost as though they've submerged the casks in the ocean rather than exposing them to freezing temperatures. It seems they even added a few sardines and anchovies. Jokes aside, a superb finish that leads to an aftertaste of lemon marmalade and kippers. And salted bitter almonds. And lemon zest. And Italian bitters. Comments: A formidable old Talisker. As long as they mention ages and/or vintages, no problems with funny stories, they can go ahead, nothing really scares us (apart from the hackneyed but still used trick of the unlisted old cask found by chance in the warehouse - wink). 93 points - whiskyfun.com

...The challenge with any single malt over 40 years old is to keep the oak in check and not have it overpower the spirit.  Next is to ensure the palate doesn’t become too dry or tannic.  This Talisker 45yo doesn’t just clear those two hurdles, but it sails over them with ease. The nose is exceptionally complex and appealing, offering up something new with each return sniff. The palate also takes you on a journey, starting off with the family of flavours that typically accompany geriatric peated whisky (very similar, in fact, to some of Diageo’s Special Releases editions and other releases of Brora and Port Ellen in recent years), but then broadening as dark chocolate, malt, and oak expand the horizon. Delicious whisky, and one that will delight and reward. - whiskyandwisdom.com