Ice Fractured Casks: How Talisker's Innovative Technique Created An Intensely Rich Whisky

In November, Diageo-owned brand Talisker came out with Talisker Glacial Edge 45-Year-Old. This whiskey is making waves across the world for its unique flavours, and the technique used to make the spirit. Several distilleries are in a race to get innovative with their whiskey creation, Scotland's Talisker is not to be left behind. Read all about the use of an ice-fractured cask by Talisker to make their delicious spirit! The distillery left no stone behind to invent something and even went on a sub-zero whiskey expedition.

Ice-Fractured Cask Technique

In what appears to be a brand new experiment in the whiskey industry, the Isle Of Skye-based distillery took 12 of its charred American Oak casks out to the desolate and sub-zero region of Canada's ice fields. Then, a specialist cooper removed the end of all the casks. Talisker then exposed the casks to sub-zero temperatures of the Arctic for 96 hours. Due to the exposure of the barrels to the Arctic blast, deep fractures are created in the wood that makes up the casks. This process also raises the surface area of the casks thereby increasing the spirit's interaction with it. This is followed by a period of rest in Scotland.

This incredible technique surely has a dramatic impact on the whiskey. It creates groundbreaking flavours, making the whisky spicier, sweeter, as well as richer in texture. The whiskey, which is a single malt scotch, has an ABV of 49.8 percent. It is filled with complex notes such as a faint hint of heat and saltiness. The texture is smooth and flavours transform from warm, sweet hints of toffee into a salty affair. These notes are present in this whisky because the spirit travelled deeper into the casks and obtained the flavour from the American Oak ex-Bourbon barrels. Presented at cask strength, this one-of-a-kind Talisker whisky is limited to just 2,455 bottles.

Talisker made its journey to the ice fields with Parley with which it has had a long association. Talisker and Parley partnered together to raise awareness about the importance of marine ecosystems and support their preservation globally. Talisker will donate a portion of profits from Talisker Glacial Edge 45-Year-Old sales to this cause. The distillery had also joined hands with luxury travel specialist Abercrombie & Kent to provide bespoke trips to Iceland, including tastings of the brand’s whisky.

In October, Diageo announced a regenerative agriculture programme. This programme aims to enhance biodiversity, improve water stewardship and carbon reduction, and better soil health management in Scotland. Its first phase will focus on barley and wheat regions for Talisker.

Talisker Distillery was founded in 1830 by brothers Hugh MacAskill of Eigg and Kenneth MacGaskill. Talisker in Old Norse means Sloping Rock, ‘Thalas Gair'. The distillery creates its spirits by the sea on the shores of the Isle of Skye. The salty sea breeze flavour in Talisker Glacial Edge 45-year-Old connects patrons to the distillery's rugged coastal heritage.