Hello from Madagascar! I'm on the far side of the world but still knee-deep in the Scotch game. Well, ankle-deep - although I have to say that I'm impressed by the Scotch lineup in the 9th-poorest country in the world. Vodka, gin, bourbon are all bare bones here. Rhum is the local staple, and heavily available in a wide variety of flavored options (most notably coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, and a number of tropical fruits like coconut and lychee).
But Scotch - there is a ton of Scotch, rather surprisingly. The everyday blend of choice seems to be J&B, while Johnnie Walker is in most bars, and many stores have a surprisingly wide array of options.
I sampled three new varieties during my travels here, and I'm starting with the clear award winner among them - Talisker 57° North, an export-only (International) variant I came across at a beachfront bar at the highly recommended lodge at Anjajavy. Bottled at 57% ABV (cask strength) and without age statement, it's basically Talisker 10 Year turned up loud enough to shake the walls.
Nose: Unbelievably strong maritime elements. I actually carried the glass inside from the bar to make sure I wasn't actually smelling the nearby beach - nope, it's the whiskey. This is very strong stuff - beach sand, rich peat, strong salt air, seaweed/kelp, shells, and damp rocks. This is a bonfire at high tide crammed in a bottle. There are other hints as well - vanilla and/or caramel play peekaboo, and if you let it settle you'll get complex bitter notes that I thought were tobacco and coffee. Herbs of some kind, blurred by the rest.
Mouthfeel: Very thick, but the massive wash of alcohol is masked by the smoke and salt. Surprisingly drinkable for something so powerful. Still, it's hot stuff.
Palate: Follows the nose cleanly - salty and just a bit sweet. Big rock salt, but not mouth-puckering. Alcohol sweeps through but not as violently as, say, Aberlour A'bunadh. The smoke is heavy, wavy, savory, dense, which combines nicely with the mineral center. A serious drink, and not for the uninitiated.
Finish: Unusually sweet - the vanilla in the nose returns here, mixed along with pepper, peat, and distinct ginger peel - spicy! A very nice finish.
Verdict: Highly recommended, if you find yourself abroad or in a Duty Free shop in a well-stocked airport. For fans of Talisker who want a powerful boost to the normal experience. It's a rush. I liked this so much I drank almost half a bottle in small doses over the course of the vacation - high praise indeed.
Link to Talisker's website that contains 57° North: http://www.malts.com/index.php/en_us/Our-Whiskies/Talisker/The-Family/
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