Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced the release of a travel retail exclusive titled Talisker Surge, characterised by flashes of spice and rich honeyed berries.

The new expression from the distillery on the island of Skye, Scotland, has been created especially to capture the ‘force and electrifying nature’ of the Inner Hebrides island.

It has been available in key airports across Europe from August and will be rolled out in the UK in September.

It will then become available in APAC from October 2022 before launching in Australia in December 2022.

“We are delighted to launch this exceptional new whisky from Talisker as a global travel retail channel exclusive,” said Dafydd Pugh Williams, Marketing and Innovation Director at Diageo Global Travel.

“Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a thriving category and Talisker will continue to fuel the growth of ultra-premium and luxury whisky.”

“Its launch as a channel exclusive underlines our commitment to innovate and invest in the category and offer global travellers something special to gift their loved ones or enjoy themselves. This is something they simply cannot buy anywhere else.”

To mark the launch, Talisker Surge will be showcased in airports around the world through a ‘disruptive global campaign’ that seeks to transport shoppers to Skye.

Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 will host a dedicated Talisker Surge sample bar during October and November complete with a spirits feature wall and tasting sessions.

A tasting experience will also be available to passengers in key airports across the globe throughout the year.

Talisker Surge is matured in American Oak ex-Bourbon Casks, which imparts a sweeter flavour.

The extra layer of spice finishes the rich malt with subtle smokey profile, whilst still maintaining the signature maritime characteristics of the revered coastal distillery.

As Ewan Gunn, Senior Global Scotch Whisky Ambassador at Diageo elaborates: “Talisker Surge is made by the sea, from rugged coastlines and powerful storms, to warming sunbeams and soaring skies, the Isle of Skye powers through our veins and invigorates our souls.

“The spirit of that unique place is captured within this rich spiced whisky and immediately transports adventurous travellers to this amazing island.”

Talisker Surge Single Malt Scotch Whisky is best enjoyed neat, or as Talisker romantically describes, ‘with a raindrop of water, on a rugged shoreline as a storm brews on the horizon’.

It is bottled at an ABV of 45.8%, and has an RRP of £85/ €95/ $115 for a 70cl bottle.

Availability details are as follows: in Frankfurt Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Hamburg Airport from August 2022; in UK airports (Heathrow, Edinburgh and Gatwick), Istanbul Airport, Copenhagen Airport, Oslo Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport from September 2022; in Hainan from November 2022; and in Australia (Melbourne and Sydney Airports) December 2022.