Talisker Xpedition Oak: The Atlantic Challenge 43 Year Old Scotch Malt Whisky

let’s begin

The oldest Talisker yet, Xpedition Oak 43 Year Old is a masterful single malt Scotch.

Commemorating History

Every year Talisker Whisky sponsor the Atlantic Challenge, in which teams of ocean rowers compete to be the fastest to make it from San Sebastian, La Gomera to English Harbour, Antigua and Barbuda. The race is around 3,000 miles and it supposed to be quite daunting.

It takes place to commemorate the journey from the Isle of Eigg to the Isle of Skye that the MacAskill Brothers took back in 1830. The journey resulted in the beginning of Talisker Distillery. What better journey to remember yearly?

With their Xpedition Oak 43 Year Old, Talisker are celebrating everything about the journey and showcasing the results to the world. Only 1830 bottles will be released in total with the first one to be auctioned to raise money for Parley for the Oceans, a charity that works on ocean conservation.

Xpedition Oak Single Malt 43 Year Old Scotch

The malt itself has been created using only 10 select barrels, so is very exclusive. Not only that, but the staves used to create the barrels themselves have sailed the Atlantic. Adventurer James Aiken took the staves with him as he sailed the same Atlantic Challenge route from La Gomera to Antigua. At different times he put the staves on the deck of the boat so they could soak up the sea air as he sailed.

When he returned to Scotland, the staves were used to make casks for a final maturation of the whisky. Each bottle will be accompanied by a piece of the staves themselves.

Tasting notes for Talisker Xpedition Oak: The Atlantic Challenge 43 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

Bottle cost: £3,500

The nose begins with wonderful notes of spice and fruit. It is slightly aromatic, withs hints of mahogany, sea air, salt and smoke.

The palate is full of tell-tale peppery spice, with fruit flavours and lots of sea salt. You can taste the Atlantic as you go, enjoying the ocean notes alongside the big smoke of Talisker. Fruit flavours also abound, giving it a juicy sweetness.

The finish is warming and spicy, with hints of pepper throughout.

Having travelled the globe, the staves in those casks have certainly done the job and brought some incredible flavours to Talisker’s already brilliant malt. This is truly a unique and intriguing malt, for the flavour as well as the story behind it.

What are your thoughts on Talisker’s Xpedition Oak 43 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky? Start the conversation in the comments!

Tags: 43 Year OldAtlantic ChallengeScotch malt whiskyTalisker Xpedition Oak

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.