Talisker Port Ruighe Review

“Pepper & Port”

Country: Scotland

Region: Highland (Island: Skye)

Brand: Talisker Port Ruighe

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS

ABV: 45.8%

Colour: Golden Amber with a hint of Orange

Nose: A wisp of Salty Sea Air and Brine is accompanied by very mild Smoke, light Iodine, light Tar, light Leather, light Band Aids, Pencil Shavings, Dusty Road, Fish on the BBQ and a sprinkle of Lemon. Young Talisker indeed but in a more mellow way when compared to the Storm. I also find Plum Jam, Dried Fruits, Nuts, light Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Toffee, light Orange, Malt, Sour Red Grapes, Berries, light Menthol and light Soap. I don't think the Port Ruighe spend a whole lot of time in the Port Casks but the wood was sufficiently active to leave its mark. Not every Talisker fan will immediately fall in love with this Aroma Profile but it is a differentiated Talisker offering in their Core Range.

Taste: Slightly Thin Delivery despite the adequate ABV. It's quite Sweet and Spicy at the same time with Talisker Chili Pepper, Salted Nuts, Malt, Charred Oak, Tar, Campfire Smoke, Dusty Earth, Dried Fruits, Berries, Plum, Lemon, Orange Zest, Cocoa Powder, Ginger, Menthol and slightly Sour Red Wine.

Finish: Middle-Long. A bit similar to Storm but with a Fruity edge. I find Tar, Campfire Smoke, Brine, lightly Burned Bacon, Pepper, Orange Zest, Cocoa Powder, Black Coffee, Oak, Dried Fruits, Plum Jam, Toffee and Dusty Road.

I added a little Water and on the Nose I find more Campfire Smoke, Malt, Plum and Lemon. A bit more Campfire Smoke, BBQ and Plums on the Palate and in the Finish. But with Water it becomes a bit too Thin in my opinion. Therefore I prefer to sip this Talisker neat. 

Rating: 82.5

Nose: 21 – Taste: 20.5 – Finish: 20.5 – Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Talisker distillery is located in Carbost on the shores of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye. It was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill and produces 2,6 million litres of Alcohol per year. It is part of the Diageo Group. The Talisker Port Ruighe was released early 2013 as the 2nd NAS Expression following Storm. The Port Ruighe matured in a mix of European and American Oak Refill Casks, of which some were deeply charred, before being finished in Port Casks. It costs around 70 US Dollars (February 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: In today's NAS world every distillery tackles the lack of older Whisky stocks in its own way. Talisker has opted to launch the Storm, a younger and less mature version of the 10 Years and the Port Ruighe, a mellow version of the Storm thanks to the Port Cask Finish. I would guess that both of them matured for 6-8 years before being married. The Port Ruighe was finished for 6-12 months in Ruby Port Casks. Both of them are not bad and the latter is nicely balanced. A good way to start getting to know this distillery. However, both the Storm and the Port Ruighe don't come near my favourite Taliskers, the 10 Years, the 18 Years and the Distillery Editions. And that's the NASty reality!

Jan van den Ende                                                           February 15, 2015