with travel restricted due to covid, join me today instead on an olfactory journey to Scotland with a dual perspective on the Isle of Skye!
as we disembark, the Talisker «Dark Storm» (45.8% abv) reflects the untamable wild intensity of the waves crashing on the shore. i've reviewed «Dark Storm» in more detail before, and it's withstood the test of time to still remain one of my favourite go-to whiskies.
on the nose, this is a fantastic blend of fruits enveloped in a cloak of salt and smoke, with an undercurrent of leather that comes out over time to give it a strong yet refined character.
the palate explodes in a glorious burst of ashy smoke and salty wood that slowly yields to more fruits and a subtle sweetness. the classic Talisker brine note is present yet without the distinctly sharp pepperiness on the finish, which instead features pure essence of smoke and a dark chocolate aftertaste.
in stunning contrast, Parchment Studios' «Isle of Skye» showcases the majestic natural beauty of its namesake in the first morning light. (official notes: fresh, salty ocean air mingled with sweet pears.)
the first sniffs from the bottle transport you to a grassy cliff overlooking the ocean, a gentle breeze in your hair. the salinity is unmistakably present though tempered significantly by a light sweetness from the pears. wearing this turns me into a fae princess in a long flowing white dress, walking surefooted over the grassy cliffs to the call of the gulls along the shore.
i love both «Dark Storm» and «Isle of Skye» as amazing smells in themselves. together, both combine in duality and contrast to paint a beautiful picture of the Isle of Skye in its untamable wild spirit and majestic natural beauty.
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this review is of products 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 or Parchment Studios, and as always, all opinions remain my own.
Parchment Studios (formerly Latherati) has closed in mid-2019 and unfortunately their scents are no longer available.
all information correct at time of publishing.
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