Game of Thrones - Talisker Select Reserve House Greyjoy

I liked the show enough, and as a collector, I ended up wanting a bottle from the distilleries I enjoy from which an expression was made despite initially being disinterested. I was skeptical with most expressions being unique to the line (except one, I believe) and figured it might have been better to slap some imagery on a standard release than come up with a bunch of new, temporary expressions. I ended up trying the Cardhu one at a friend’s and was not exactly thrilled, particularly with the bland expression being represented by a dragon. I had to hold onto hope the distilleries I know make good stuff could release something serviceable.

Talisker Select Reserve Game of Thrones House Greyjoy, Island (Skye) Single Malt, 45.8% ABV

Minutia: Same lack of information, but less, somehow. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Tawny, 1.4.

Nose: Caramel/molasses, or honey. I don’t get much smoke or any brine as I’d expect, but it’s malty. Leather.

Taste: Fruity sweetness at the get go into spicy and woody. Bit of smoke there, too. 

Finish: Wood more with smoke. Tobacco. Leather. Lingering spice. That malt from the nose. Medium.

I ashamed to say my OCD caused me to pay second market prices for this before Diageo released a tsunami more of these bottles with indications at the time being a European release would follow and then that would be it. Live and learn. Worth nowhere near what I paid, but a good deal for the MSRP or any sales to unload old inventory. I’d put in in league with or just above the NAS releases from Talisker I’ve had (Skye and Storm, I think).

Score: 85

Musical Evocation: Seven Kingdoms – “After the Fall”