Talisker House Greyjoy Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review And Tasting Notes
The Talisker House Greyjoy is an intense, spicy, peaty and peppery single malt Scotch, with rich aromas of honey, cocoa and caramel, even if, in the end, it is the sea that leaves its mark. Perhaps among all the special editions of the Games of Thrones houses, the pairing between the Greyjoy and the Talisker is the most suggestive, the one that is also the most suggestive at a geographical and climatic level.
Both “families” are made up of proud inhabitants (iron men) of a remote island in the middle of the sea. Both families have learned to live in symbiosis with the sea and not fight it. And few are the marine and contemptuous whiskeys like the Talisker, but also so pungent and rocky, thorny, grumpy on the surface, but which I hide under a noble soul that pulsates.
And this Talisker House Greyjoy whisky is spectacular for fullness and intensity: obviously, it is polished shows all the classic characteristics of Skye spirits, but it does it with pride and opulence, letting itself go to a certain softness, always in Talisker style, of course. Starting from the color, amber and dark, inviting and immediately puts you in a good mood.
How is Talisker House Greyjoy made
It is a classic single malt that collects whiskeys of various ages, for which aging is not specified. The refinement takes place both in barrels used for the production of Bourbon and Sherry, while the bottling takes place at an alcoholic strength of 45.8 degrees.
Organoleptic characteristics of Talisker House Greyjoy single malt whisky
The bouquet is massive and elegant, opening with sharp notes of oranges, biscuits, salt, burnt caramel, with the peat binding everything together with incredible grace. Honey can be “heard” in the distance, but dominating are more oxidized tones reminiscent of dried fruit, dates and a medicinal reminder of herbs and medieval apothecary potions.
The spices, as usual, serve as a trousseau, adding tones of espresso, butter and vanilla, but without ever being overbearing or too marked.
On the palate, you can feel the 45.8 degrees. The heat takes the form of a blade of pepper that sets your palate on fire, but without ever falling into alcoholic arrogance. It is articulated. All this heat acts as a vehicle for a ripe and layered fruit where malty tones alternate with citrus fruits, caressing the flavors of bitter almonds.
Overall it is very structured, but the sip is designed with great skill. It is smooth and the salt and peat help to play down, broadening the taste spectrum.
Overall, it is a rocky single malt whiskey, but with an iron soul: it leaves you no way out, it attacks you, but then opens up and seduces you, although it has a stormy fullness. It is not a whisky that could be defined as soft, but it is a bit accommodating by Talisker standards.
The aim is to produce a less punch in the face dram, a kind of I slap you with joy, but the “thickness” is undeniable. Salt and smoke finish of great persistence.
A few drops of water help bring out the most nuanced aromas of pear and violets, but it is unnecessary. Ok, it’s alcoholic, but this power makes the sip more incisive, so you don’t need to add water to enjoy it.
On the contrary, you risk making it less sharp. It also depends on the mood you are in at the moment.
And remember the words of Balon Greyjoy:
“We do not sow. We are ironborn. We’re not subjects. We’re not slaves. We do not plow the field or toil in the mine. We take what is ours. “
Price
55-58 euros: an acceptable and calibrated price that reflects the excellent quality of the distillate.
Cocktail to make
Boulevardier, Irish Coffee, Mint Julep, Sazerac, Godfather, Rusty Nail, Rob Roy, Old Pal, Penicillin.
Food Pairings
Chocolate cupcakes, cheesecakes, ciambella, Tiramisù or chocolate salami.