this whisk(e)y wednesday, i'm excited to be writing about one of my favourite whiskies that was a literal love at first sip - Talisker Dark Storm. i find myself almost always instinctively reaching for this one every time i end up craving a good smoky dram.
Dark Storm is an intense smoky single malt scotch whisky with a moderate alcohol by volume of 45.8%. it's been matured in selected heavily charred casks to give it extra spice and smoke, and the label description is entirely spot-on to call this a whisky with a "deep, dark and rich maritime character". you can almost smell the stormy seas in the glass and taste their tempestuous character with each sip.
the sniffs yield a rich and complex blend of fruits (mostly citrus with a hint of apple and pear) enveloped in a cloak of salt and smoke. and after some time in the glass, i also get an undercurrent of leather that gives it a strong yet refined character. this is powerful on the nose without being overbearing, and the brine note realistically brings to mind the image of strong crashing waves as thick grey clouds gather ominously overhead.
taste-wise, Dark Storm doesn't waste any time - from the first sip, the palate explodes in a glorious burst of ashy smoke and salty wood that slowly gives way to more fruits and a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the myriad of flavours and aromas just dancing on the tongue. it's almost like poetry, how this unfolds so smoothly in all its complexity.
the finish is pleasantly sharp, with a nice kick from the spices that gradually subsides to leave pure essence of smoke and a lovely aftertaste that is vaguely reminiscent of a rich dark chocolate which has a 70-80% cocoa content. it almost becomes a cycle in itself, how as the last wisps of smoke fade from the finish, they cast an alluring invitation to take the whole journey again, and form the perfect backdrop to the burst of distilled campfire that comes with the next sip.
all things considered, Dark Storm is a great smoky whisky with immense depth and a complex character. it wouldn't be out of place as something saved for special occasions or entertaining guests, yet is accessible enough to be a great daily dram for any mood. while this one is priced quite a bit higher than most entry-level whiskies, i feel that this is more than justified by its quality and am definitely going to order a replacement once this one nears its final pour.
==
this review is of a product that i had purchased at regular price with my own money. i wasn’t asked to review this as a condition of purchase and didn’t receive any incentives for writing this. i’m not affiliated with Talisker, and as always, all opinions remain my own.
all information correct at time of publishing.
Comments
Post a Comment