Released in 2013 as a travel retail exclusive, the Talisker Dark Storm is a direct sibling to the Talisker Storm. The difference here, besides a larger bottle size, is that the casks used to age the whisky are heavily charred. The differences between the regular Storm and this one lead us to wonder if there are any age differences between the two or other factors besides the charring. Because Talisker is operated by Diageo, who are can be very opaque with product details, not many specifics of any kind are known about the whisky.
Distillery: Talisker
Region: Islands
Age: NAS
Strength: 45.8%
Price: $101.94 (€92.00)
Location: Carbost, Isle of Skye
Nose: Brine, peat, spice
Palate: Spice, smoke, jam,
Finish: Smoke, brine, nuts
Comments: We advise letting the scotch sit at least a few minutes in your glass before sipping. In fact, the longer the better, so try and pour enough so it can tell its whole story. Try experimenting with glass type too, as that can change the experience somewhat. While water can add new dimensions, it is not a requisite.
Adam – The Dark Storm should not be this good. It just shouldn’t. Not if it’s only an extra-charred version of the original, no matter how good it is. There is some familiar Talisker smoke here along with that delightful brine, yet that is only scratching the surface. If you can push past the initial outlay, what lies underneath is a lurking sense of freshly sodden vegetation, like seaweed left on the beach after the tide has pulled out or the middle of a forest after a brisk thundershower. And it isn’t vegetation like ripe elements from your garden. No, this smell and taste is straight from the pure green leaf even if drenched. It’s there, trust me, and is extremely reminiscent stepping out into that forest or shore after a huge summer rainstorm blows through. There’s also a light fruit but it is an unripe kind like peaches plucked too soon from the branch. The finish has this strangely nutty underlay supporting the smoke and brine dancing atop it, giving it a nicely meaty character. That’s what I love most about this scotch, maybe. You can identify most or all of the flavor elements yet at the same time when they combine on the tongue or in the nose, they become greater than the sum of their parts and take on whole new character. Highly recommended.
Jenny – Just what you want and expect from a good scotch. The flavor isn’t limited to your tongue, it just pops in your mouth like a party. Even a very small sip gives you an explosion of flavor with a pleasant tingly sensation. It is simply really fun to drink.
Meghan – The Dark Storm is both sweeter and richer than the traditional Storm. If the Storm is an everyday whisky (and it really should be) then the Dark Storm is the special occasion version. It is more smoke and sweet on the palate. The briney nose fools you. It makes me think of dark burgundy velveteen fabric, made into a smoking jacket or some other high class lounging apparel. The scotch feels almost fuzzy on the tongue, but in a good way, not in an ‘accidentally licked the dog’ way. The tingle lasts on the palate even though the finish isn’t as strong as one expects. It’s a very warming scotch. I will miss it when the bottle is emptied. Definitely one to pick up when going through Duty Free at an airport. In fact, pick up an extra one for me!
It’s a comfort food, like the mac and cheese of scotch.
Michael – Every time I take a sip, I taste the smoke. It’s a full-mouth experience. The nose only gives you a hint, like a hook, and forces you to dive in. When I drink this scotch, I feel like I’m on a bluff in Scotland and it’s stormy outside. I’m not sure how I keep dry in this vision but it’s mine and I am. Maybe I’m under a tree, which I’m not sure would be smart in a storm but no lightning dares strike. Just me and this scotch on a bluff, while the Dark Storm rages.
Peter – The Dark Storm is like a warm blanket that covers you. There’s a sweetness and thickness to it that wasn’t too much but is just right, like a good syrup. It’s very balanced. Rich, deep, lovely. Very comforting.
Mary-Fred – A lot of smoke for me, but in such a lovely way. A campfire in the distance that I’m slowly approaching. It’s a part of the landscape with a leaf mulch to the smoke, a groundedness and warmth I find suited to cooler weather. A perfect autumn whisky.
Caitlin – It’s a comfort food, like the mac and cheese of scotch.
Ben – There’s a sweetness like a compote or pie filling before it gets baked. Sweet fruit but not fresh. You can smell the char as well as taste it. It doesn’t taste burnt, though. Like the inside of a tree, where the bark meets the meat of the tree. You can smell the moisture. Everything that is promised in the nose is paid off and more on the palate. Just enough heat to impel you to take another sip.
