travel retail exclusive - BourbonSphere

Review / Talisker Surge

This whisky is a new core range product from the Talisker distillery on the western isle of Skye. Talisker Surge will be a travel retail exclusive. The new whisky is designed to show the elemental stormy forces that shape Skye and the Talisker distillery. Surge features whiskies of differing ages that have been matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks. The travel retail exclusive will be available in UK airports from September, before being released in Asia during October and Australia in December. There will also be a Talisker sample bar located in Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport during October and November. Talisker Surge is bottled at 45.8% ABV and will cost £85/ €95/ $115 US per bottle.

Talisker was founded in 1830 by two local brothers, Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, and is located in the hamlet of Carbost on the western coast of Skye. Talisker is owned by Diageo and has an annual production capacity of 3.3 million litres. Worldwide sales have risen by over 140% in the last decade and it is now safely within the Top 10 for worldwide Scotch single malt sales. Despite its remote location it is also one of the most visited distilleries in Scotland with over 60,000 visitors per year. A new visitor centre has just reopened following a major renovation and redesign.

Our tasting notes

The colour is bright golden yellow and the nose is rich, smoky and sweet. Aromas of toffee and floral honey lead the way, but are quickly joined by a savoury and medicinal peat smoke. This has some earthiness to it with hints of damp moss and seaweed. There are further hints of milk chocolate, green apple and white pepper.

On the palate this whisky has an immediate impact. The peat smoke hits first this time with the medicinal and peppery notes to the fore. Underneath is an earthiness with hints of damp seaweed and moss alongside a distinct mineralic quality. There is a flinty and slightly chalky feel. The smoke wraps around a series of richer sweet notes. These include a delicious floral honey characteristic (think of heather honey especially), toffee and golden syrup. There is also green apple and a biscuit-like maltiness present. The trademark Talisker pepperiness is never far away. This is most reminiscent of cracked black pepper from a peppermill. Further depth is added by a late chocolate note, a pinch of cocoa powder and distant hint of raspberry jam.

The finish is long and warming with the peppery peat smoke dominating. This gives warmth and power to the whisky, especially when the sweet honey and toffee notes have faded. A slight ashy note develops alongside, which adds to the medicinal and mineralic feel.

What's the verdict?

This is a good addition to the Talisker range. It does not really offer anything new to fans of the brand, but it is tasty and enjoyable. The classic peppery peat smoke is there and works well with the sweet aand confected notes to create a delicious whisky. Look out for it in the coming months as it spreads around the airports of the world. We think that you will not be disappointed.

Review / Glenmorangie The Accord, The Elementa & The Tribute

These three whiskies form the core range of travel retail exclusive single malts from the north Highalnd distillery of Glenmorangie. They were launched in Autumn 2021 as the world began travelling again following 18 months of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. They are available now in airports globally and have been created by Dr. Bill Lumsden - the Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks at Glenmorangie.

The Accord is bottled at 12 years old and 43% ABV, and is a classic marriage of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry barrels. It costs £59/ $79 US. The Elementa has been predominantly matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in charred virgin oak casks. It is also bottled at 43% ABV and costs £68/ $92 US. The Tribute is the oldest at 16 years old and has been created from a 'heritage spirit batch' matured in ex-bourbon casks. The spirit is lightly peated. It is bottled at 46% ABv and costs £85/ $115 US.

Glenmorangie is one of the biggest selling single malt Scotch whisky brands in the world and was founded in 1843 by William Matheson. It is located in the north Highland town of Tain. The distillery was originally named as Morangie and changed to Glenmorangie in 1887. It has an annual production capacity of six million litres and the stills are the tallest in Scotland. They stand at over five metres (16.5 feet) tall. It also uses the hardest water of any Scotch whisky distillery in production - this bubbles up from the nearby Tarlogie Springs. The distillery and brand are currently owned by Moet Hennessey.

Our tasting notes

Glenmorangie The Accord 12 years old

The colour is deep golden yellow with a hint of amber and the nose is rich and fruity. Aromas of toffee, caramel and dried fruits (especially raisin and candied orange) rise first. They are followed by further aromas of dried apple, cereal bars, heather honey and a hint of almond.

On the palate this whisky follows a similar path to the nose. It is rich and fruity. Juicy dried fruits (think of raisin and sultana), crumbly brown sugar and caramel notes lead the way. These are joined by candied orange peel and hints of marzipan and milk chocolate. There is also a background green vegetal note that is difficult to pinpoint. A distinct woodiness comes through early on and evolves well. This gives grip and a drying oaky quality, which is accentuated with a pinch of baking spice. The finish continues on this theme and this aids the length.

Glenmorangie The Elementa 14 years old

The colour is pale gold and the nose is delicate, sweet and woody. Aromas of dessicated coconut, vanilla and honey mingle with those of white chocolate, icing sugar and candied lemons. Hints of jasmine, orange blossom oil and fresh sawdust sit in the background.

On the palate this whisky is equally as delicate, sweet and woody. It has an immediate freshness and uplifting vibrancy. Notes of vanilla, coconut and freshly sawn oak lead the way and offer a delicious introduction. Further notes of green apple, white chocolate and a good pinch of baking spice follow. Underneath are hints of candied lemon, marshmallow and that orange blossom oil from the nose. The finish is slightly short and becomes quite dry and oaky. It also becomes a little hot and peppery, especially at the end.

Glenmorangie The Tribute 16 years old

The colour is pale lemon yellow and the nose is full of sweet cereals, vanilla and a whiff of earthy smoke. Further aromas begin to develop - think of lime marmalade with a hint of tropical fruits, especially pineapple and peach.

On the palate this whisky is initially sweet and sugary but the earthy peat smoke undertones quickly develop. The smokiness has a softness and sweetness to it as it gently licks around the other elements. It sits in the background and becomes increasingly savoury with time. Notes of vanilla, white chocolate and cookie dough are prominent and joined by hints of walnut, lime zest and dried pineapple. The finish is of decent length and sees the sweetness fade slowly. The background smoke then comes to the fore and gives a pleasant warmth and dryness.

What's the verdict?

This travel retail range is interesting as it pushes Glenmorangie in three different and very distinct directions. The Elementa is classic Glenmorangie - bourbon cask (although with the twist of virgin oak on this occasion) and packed with vanilla and oak notes. The Accord is much richer and shows the distinct influence of good sherry casks, and is reminiscent of the Lasanta expression from the core range. The Tribute offers the rare chance to taste a smoky Glenmorangie.

Which is our favourite? That is a difficult call as one of us chose The Accord and the other The Elementa. We would definitely recommend checking these whiskies out next time you are passing through an airport.