Single malt Scotch whisky brand, Talisker, has joined forces with Josh Niland, one of the rising stars of Sydney’s dining scene, to showcase the spirit’s coastal nature.
The pop-up restaurant will be located at Q Station, in Manly’s North Head. Two dining experiences are available on 21 and 22 October. The first is a three-course paired menu, prepared and hosted by Niland, and designed to celebrate the whisky’s connection to the sea.
Nilard explained how the flavours of Talisker had informed his approach.
“I wanted to capture the wild spirit of the sea paired with key aromas of Talisker – smoke, spice and a sense of sea salt spray in the morning after a storm,” the chef commented.
“Years of maturation made by the sea has lent a full flavour to this bold dram and this menu celebrates Talisker’s rich flavours while honouring the sea in a sustainable and ethical way.”
The ‘Taste of Talisker’ meal begins with a starter of salt and vinegar garfish, presented alongside kamut sourdough and yoghurt cultured butter, paired with Talisker 10 year old. This is followed by ‘noodles’ of calamari cooked over coals, served with Calabrian-style yellowfish tuna salami and Talisker Storm. The final dish is butterflied King George whiting, again cooked over coals, and served with a sauce of finger lime, tapioca and chives, and a glass of Talisker Skye.
The second experience, entitled ‘Made by the Sea’ is a little more relaxed – a two hour guided whisky experience available between midday and 9pm on 22 October, offering bar snacks from Niland’s Saint Peter restaurant, which have been designed to accentuate the flavours of Talisker.
Katie Nagar, Talisker’s National Brand Ambassador, commented on the occasion.
“With its distinctively maritime flavours and its commitment to preserving marine ecosystems, Talisker makes the perfect partner to Josh Niland’s culinary innovations and his revolutionary approach to sustainable seafood,” Nagar said.
Nagar also linked the events to Talisker’s home on the rugged island of Skye, in the Scottish Hebrides.
“Every sip of Talisker is a taste of the Isle of Skye itself, one of the most remote, windswept yet beautiful landscapes in Scotland that Talisker calls home. This powerful single malt whisky, with a sea-salty nose, spicy complexity, smoky sweet character and signature peppery finish is like a warm welcome from a wild sea and best enjoyed surrounded by nature.”
‘Taste of Talisker’ tickets cost $195pp, while the ‘Made by the Sea’ whisky experience costs $100pp.