Born to be wiIIIiiiIIIiiiIIIiiild… sorry, not sorry. Today we compare a pair of Talisker whiskies, selected because of their names: Talisker The Wild Blue vs The Wild Explorador. Yes, ‘explorador’ with a ’d’ – don’t ask me why, but I’m sure Diageo’s marketing team has a perfectly logical (and probably very exciting, of course) story for that. The Talisker The Wild Blue is a brand new 2025 release with a link to a foundation, like the Wilder Seas ’Parsley a couple of years ago, while The Wild Explorador is a 2023 Special Release. Let’s get to them, shall we?’
Talisker The Wild Blue (2025) Review
Talisker The Wild Blue is a non-age statement single malt finished in ‘Atlantic Coastal Wine casks’, specifically red wine casks from coastal regions of South Africa. Bottled at 48.2% ABV, likely without chill filtration, it does, however, contain some added colouring. The Wild Blue will raise over £100,000 for the Blue Marine Foundation to support projects restoring marine and coastal habitats in the Solent. These funds will help restore native oysters and seagrass meadows, improving biodiversity and water quality. The whisky is widely available, priced around €60–70 in Europe and £77 in the UK.
Colour:
Tawny.
Nose:
Neat: The nose reveals a clear wine influence, reminiscent of red wine, although I’m not sure what those coastal wines entail. Smoke and sea breeze accompany red fruits like dark cherries and raspberries, along with citrus notes. Hints of pepper, smoked bacon with a pinch of salt, and maritime notes of iodine and seaweed complete the profile.
Palate:
Neat: Initially, the palate offers a pleasant tartness with flavours of lemons, cherries, and oranges. Smoked bacon returns, accompanied by a few grains of salt. The palate shows a bit more pepper than the nose, along with strong maritime notes of iodine, seaweed, and a seaside campfire. Pickled olives and additional red fruits appear, but the red wine cask does not dominate, which works well.
Finish:
The finish highlights the wine a bit more, with pepper and some wood bitterness. Notes of chocolate and a touch of smoked honey round it out, with a medium length.
Comments:
On the nose, the wine influence is noticeable but well integrated and not unpleasant. The palate is good, but there is a higher wine influence, bringing red fruits. But it is well made, not too present, quite nice. On the finish the wine is more noticeable. Overall, I must admit I quite liked this Talisker The Wild Blue, despite the fact that I usually don’t like red wine finished or matured whiskies.
Rating: 7/10
Talisker The Wild Explorador (2023) Review
Talisker The Wild Explorador is Talisker’s edition of Diageo’s 2023 Special Release. Special Release Taliskers usually feature an age statement, or a vintage for some older ones, but this time we face a non-age statement. The Wild Explorador was finished in different types of port casks: white, tawny and ruby port. Bottled at cask strength (59.7% ABV), non-chill filtered and natural-coloured (yay!), it’s still wi(l)dely available, from €110/£110.
Colour:
Burnished.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with typical Talisker notes of sea breeze, seaside campfire smoke, and iodine. The port cask finish adds raisins, red fruits, hints of eucalyptus and aniseed, along with some tannins. It doesn’t feel overly intense despite the high ABV, and it might improve with a bit of water.
With water: After reduction, the nose reveals a bit of chalk, some farmy notes, and very light hints of sulphur. Undergrowth and damp basement aromas also emerge.
Palate:
Neat: The palate shows a more noticeable influence from the three port cask types, making it quite winey. It features red fruits like cherries, raspberries, and gooseberries, along with lemons, raisins, and blood oranges. Some candy sweetness, pepper, chilli, and a creamy mouthfeel complete the profile. The alcohol is present but not overpowering, making it easy to drink at close to 60% ABV, although it does bring some spicy heat.
With water: The palate becomes sweeter initially, then turns quite citrusy and peppery. Notes of chocolate, black coffee, and smoked ham add depth to the flavour profile.
Finish:
The finish is medium to short, with pepper, brine, chocolate, smoke, spices, earth, and a soft astringency.
Comments:
This Talisker is very nice but I can’t help but prefer the Wild Blue. Even though I was into port finishes a long time ago, I’m definitely not right now, and thus I’m not overly enthusiastic about this Talisker, despite the fact that it is still indeed good and above average. But not as much as the Wild Blue, even though that one used wine casks! (Gosh, what is happening to me?!) I considered reviewing the Talisker Wilder Seas Parlsey as well, but this will be for another time (sometime this summer).
Rating: 6.5/10
Bottle pictures courtesy of Whiskybase as usual.