Xpedition Oak: a spirit with a sense of adventure
Talisker is set to release its 43-year-old Xpedition Oak single malt – a whisky with notes of the Caribbean, says Chris Carter.
Here’s one for the log books of serious whisky collectors. Next month, an intriguing new single malt leaves these shores, the essence of which has been to the Caribbean and back. Adventurer James Aiken voyaged solo across the Atlantic, from La Gomera in Spain to the sunny island of Antigua, carrying wooden staves secured to the deck of his sailing yacht, Oaken Yarn. Over the course of the 24-day, 3,264-mile journey, the wood was seasoned by the salty air and sea spray.
“Most of my life is focused on the ocean, and the variety of ways that we can interact and learn from it”, says Aiken (pictured below). “This expedition taught me even more and allowed me to connect with nature’s elements in an entirely new way… I cared for the wooden staves aboard, ensuring their safe passage. The crossing was an almost meditative experience in nature: both challenging and a joy.” The staves were then returned to Talisker’s distillery on the Isle of Skye for the final maturation of a very important whisky – the 43-year-old Xpedition Oak: The Atlantic Challenge. It is Talisker’s oldest release.
Only 1,830 bottles will be released, the number in homage to Talisker’s founding year, and each accompanied with a piece of the staves from the oceanic crossing, the route of which traced that undertaken by the rowers of the annual Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The first bottle will be auctioned later this year for the benefit of Parley for the Oceans, with the aim of restoring and protecting 100 million square metres underwater forests along coastlines by 2023.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Talisker is also inviting outdoor enthusiasts to register their interest to join James Aiken on an “Ultimate Rewilding Adventure” on the Isle of Skye in 2022 (date to be confirmed). Over three days, one lucky adventurer and a companion will embark on a three-day coastal sailing and wilderness expedition led by Aiken, reconnecting with nature and enjoying a private tour of the distillery. For details, head to taliskerultimateadventure.com before 21 August 2021 (UK and US residents only).
So, what’s the whisky like? According to the tasting notes, the Xpedition Oak has a “deep clear amber appearance” with “excellent beading”. The nose is “mellow overall and very slightly spicy, with a fruity top note of bruised apple and a smooth, aromatic hint of wax”, beneath which lie “notes of canvas and varnished wood [mingled] with maritime hints of sea-air and warm”. The body is “full” and the palate projects “a smooth texture and a vibrant, juicy start [introducing] a sweet, rich, intensity with a fresh, balancing splash of ocean salt spray”.
The effect is “lightly drying before an expected volcanic warmth envelops the palate”. “Mesmerising overall, like a distant waterfall in sunshine, it cascades with smooth, rich flavour” – in other words, a whisky worthy of its £3,500 recommended price tag. And maybe it was just me, but the notes of sugar cane I got from a wee taste recalled to mind the sunny afternoons of a few years ago I spent at English Harbour in Antigua, the far-end destination of those deck-bound staves. Warming notes indeed.
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.
Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.
You can follow Chris on Instagram.
-
A junior ISA could turn your child’s pocket money into thousands of pounds
Persuading your child to put their pocket money in a junior ISA might be difficult, but the pennies could quickly grow into pounds – and teach them a valuable lesson about money
By Katie Williams Published
-
Cost of Christmas dinner jumps 6.5% as grocery price inflation rises again
The average Christmas dinner for four now costs £32.57 as grocery price inflation increases - but what does it mean for interest rates?
By Chris Newlands Published
-
Halifax: House price slump continues as prices slide for the sixth consecutive month
UK house prices fell again in September as buyers returned, but the slowdown was not as fast as anticipated, latest Halifax data shows. Where are house prices falling the most?
By Kalpana Fitzpatrick Published
-
Rents hit a record high - but is the opportunity for buy-to-let investors still strong?
UK rent prices have hit a record high with the average hitting over £1,200 a month says Rightmove. Are there still opportunities in buy-to-let?
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
Pension savers turn to gold investments
Investors are racing to buy gold to protect their pensions from a stock market correction and high inflation, experts say
By Ruth Emery Published
-
Where to find the best returns from student accommodation
Student accommodation can be a lucrative investment if you know where to look.
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
Best investing apps
Looking for an easy-to-use app to help you start investing, keep track of your portfolio or make trades on the go? We round up the best investing apps
By Ruth Emery Last updated
-
The world’s best bargain stocks
Searching for bargain stocks with Alec Cutler of the Orbis Global Balanced Fund, who tells Andrew Van Sickle which sectors are being overlooked.
By Andrew Van Sickle Published
-
Revealed: the cheapest cities to own a home in Britain
New research reveals the cheapest cities to own a home, taking account of mortgage payments, utility bills and council tax
By Ruth Emery Published
-
UK recession: How to protect your portfolio
As the UK recession is confirmed, we look at ways to protect your wealth.
By Henry Sandercock Last updated