TALU English Whiskey

TALU is a modern English whiskey brand built around grain mash bills and first-fill cask finishes rather than the Scotch single-malt template. Every expression is matured in charred American oak, finished in a hand-selected cask, and bottled at natural colour, non-chill filtered.

4 products

A bottle of Talu Oloroso Cask English Whiskey with amber-brown liquid and a white label, standing next to its tall dark red cylindrical packaging box on a light gray background.

A bottle of Talu Oloroso Cask English Whiskey with a ribbed glass body and a cork stopper, shown diagonally on a pink background with a glass of the red liquid partially visible in the lower right.

TALU Oloroso Cask 8 Year Old English Whiskey, 70cl Talu

£67.99

A bottle of Talu Mezcal Cask English Whiskey next to its matching orange cylindrical packaging box, set against a clean white background.

A close-up of a bottle of Talu Mezcal Cask English Whiskey with a white, orange, and green label, lying diagonally on a warm orange surface. Another bottle is partially visible in the background.

TALU Smoked Mezcal Cask 8 Year Old English Whiskey, 70cl Talu

£71.99

A bottle of TALU English Whiskey with amber liquid and a white label, standing next to its teal cylindrical packaging tube on a light gray background.

A bottle of Taste Talu Cognac Cask Whiskey filled with golden-amber liquid and featuring a white and teal label with a wooden cap, set against a blue background with a glass of whisky in the background.

TALU Cognac Cask 8 Year Old English Whiskey, 70cl Talu

£67.99

Talu - TALU Cognac and Oloroso Cask English Whiskey Bundle, 2 x 70cl - Whisky

TALU Cognac and Oloroso Cask English Whiskey Bundle, 2 x 70cl Talu

£129.98 £135.98 Save £6

TALU English Whiskey

Modern English grain whiskey, matured in charred American oak and finished in hand-selected first-fill casks

TALU is a modern English whiskey brand that does things differently from the single-malt template most people associate with whisky. Every TALU expression is built from a grain mash bill of rye, barley and maize, matured for five years in charred American white oak, then finished for a further three in a first-fill cask to add specific layers of flavour. All three are bottled at natural colour and non-chill filtered, and TALU deliberately uses the "whiskey" spelling, which is permitted in England. We list the full range so you can pick the cask finish that suits your palate, or compare all three side by side.

Expression	Strength & Style	Cask & Production	Tasting Experience	Perfect For...
TALU Cognac Cask First-fill VSOP Cognac finish VIEW WHISKEY	43% Alc. 70cl bottle Soft, sweet grain whiskey	Rye, Barley & Maize First-Fill Cognac Natural Colour Non-Chill Filtered Five years in charred American oak, then three in a first-fill VSOP Cognac hogshead.	Nose: Ripe fig, French vanilla and sugared almond Palate: Poached pear, toffee and pistachio Finish: Honeycomb and candied ginger over mature oak	Newcomers to TALU and Cognac or bourbon drinkers exploring whiskey
TALU Smoked Mezcal Cask First-fill Oaxacan mezcal finish VIEW WHISKEY	46% Alc. 70cl bottle Bold, smoky grain whiskey	Rye, Barley & Maize Oaxacan Mezcal Cask Mesquite-Smoked Water Non-Chill Filtered Five years in charred American oak, then three in a first-fill mezcal cask; the smoke comes from a mesquite-smoked-water infusion rather than peat.	Nose: Earthy smoke, blackened green pepper and roast agave Palate: Barbecue embers, caramelised pineapple and lime zest Finish: Long and smoky, with mesquite, leather and cacao	Drinkers who enjoy smoke but want something away from peated Scotch, and food pairing
TALU Oloroso Cask First-fill Oloroso sherry finish VIEW WHISKEY	43% Alc. 70cl bottle Rich, sherried grain whiskey	Rye, Barley & Maize First-Fill Oloroso Natural Colour Non-Chill Filtered Five years in charred American oak, then three in a first-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead.	Nose: Candied dates, orange peel and raisins Palate: Cherry jam, dark chocolate and cinnamon sugar Finish: Long, with sticky spiced fruitcake	Drinkers who enjoy sherried whisky, dried fruit and dark chocolate

Alex's Selection Guide: If you are new to TALU start with the Cognac Cask; it is the softest and most approachable, all orchard fruit and vanilla. The Oloroso Cask is the one I reach for on a colder evening, rich with dried fruit and dark chocolate. The Smoked Mezcal Cask is the boldest of the three: its smoke comes from mesquite-smoked water rather than peat, so it is earthy and barbecue-like rather than coastal. If you are buying a gift, the Cognac or Oloroso are the safer bets; the Mezcal is one for the adventurous.

What "English whiskey" means here

English whisky is one of the fastest-growing categories in world whisky, with a growing number of producers across the country. Unlike Scotch, it carries no regional style rules, which leaves producers free to experiment with grain recipes and cask finishes.

Grain whiskey, not single malt

Most English whisky is single malt, made only from malted barley. TALU's whiskies use a grain mash bill of rye, barley and maize, which gives a softer, sweeter base than malt and takes a cask finish well. They are English grain whiskies, not single malts.

Why "whiskey" with an E

TALU uses the "whiskey" spelling on purpose. It is permitted in England and signals that the brand is not a Scotch, nodding instead to Irish, American and rye traditions. English producers may use either spelling; Scotch always uses "whisky".

How to choose your TALU

If you want something soft and approachable

The Cognac Cask is the easiest starting point, with orchard fruit, vanilla and a patisserie sweetness from its first-fill Cognac finish.

If you want richness and dried fruit

The Oloroso Cask is the deepest of the three, with candied dates, cherry and dark chocolate drawn from a first-fill Oloroso sherry cask.

If you want smoke

The Smoked Mezcal Cask takes its smoke from a mesquite-smoked-water infusion rather than peat, giving an earthy, barbecue character that pairs well with grilled food.

New to the category? Our guide to English whisky is a good place to begin, and you can browse the wider English whisky range or add a bottle to a monthly English whisky subscription.

Serving tip: Try each TALU neat first, in a glass with a tapered top that concentrates the aromas. A few drops of water open up the fruit and soften the higher-strength Mezcal Cask; add it gradually and taste as you go. The Mezcal also works well in a smoky twist on an Old Fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are TALU whiskies single malts?

No. TALU whiskies are made from a grain mash bill of rye, barley and maize, so they are English grain whiskies rather than single malts. Each is finished in a different first-fill cask.

Why is TALU spelled "whiskey" and not "whisky"?

TALU uses the "whiskey" spelling on purpose. It is permitted in England and signals that the brand is not a Scotch. English producers may use either spelling; Scotch always uses "whisky".

Which TALU should I try first?

The Cognac Cask is the most approachable and the easiest introduction. Choose the Oloroso Cask for a richer, sherried style, or the Smoked Mezcal Cask if you enjoy smoke.

Is the TALU Smoked Mezcal Cask peated?

No. Its smoke comes from a mesquite-smoked-water infusion rather than peated malt, which gives an earthy, barbecue-style smoke rather than the coastal smoke of a peated Scotch.

How should I serve TALU whiskey?

Neat in a tapered glass to start, with a few drops of water to open up the fruit and soften the strength. The Cognac and Oloroso casks suit an after-dinner pour; the Mezcal pairs well with grilled food or a smoky Old Fashioned.