Talisker Select Reserve House Greyjoy

About the Talisker Select Reserve House Greyjoy

Talisker Select Reserve House Greyjoy is a single malt Scotch whisky from the Isle of Skye. Skye sits off the west coast of Scotland. The Island tag on the label is literal here. Diageo built the bottling for the Game of Thrones Single Malts Collection, matching the distillery to the seafaring Greyjoys. A kraken sigil marks the front. There is no age statement, and the strength is 45.8% ABV. Skye's west coast is exposed, and the distillery sits right on the water. Salt spray and damp air work on the casks as they rest. For this bottling the spirit filled heavily charred ex-bourbon American oak casks, plus refill ones. The deep char burns a fresh layer into the wood and opens up sweeter, darker flavours. The match with the Iron Islands leans on the distillery's maritime streak. The nose opens on bare wood and toasted oak, dry and warm. Underneath, smoke drifts in slowly rather than shouting. The palate turns coastal at once, with seaweed, salt and a medicinal edge. There is a mineral, almost stony streak running through it. Texture is oily, which keeps everything sitting on the tongue. Vegetative notes and oak carry the finish out long and peaty. Select Reserve sits apart from the standard Talisker range in one clear way. No age statement means the cask work does the talking, not years in a warehouse. The heavy char lifts sweetness, so the usual pepper reads a little softer. Talisker Select Reserve House Greyjoy also shipped as a limited Game of Thrones release. Bottles left retail shelves and did not come back. The whisky inside still tastes like Skye, not like merchandise.