Talisker 10 year old single malt is a classic Island whisky from the Isle of Skye. Aged for a minimum of 10 years in American oak casks, this welcome member of Diageo's Classic Malts series has been recognised numerous times for its excellence. Immensely satisfying stuff, with whiffs of warm peat blending with coastal air, balanced by orchard fruit and juicy barley. A spectacular after dinner dram.
It was an Editor's Choice at Whisky Magazine, a gold medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 and was awarded 'Best Islands Single Malt' at the 2017 World Whiskies Awards.
A fresh and fragrant nose. Through thick, pungent smoke comes sweet pear and apple peels, with pinches of maritime salt from kippers, seaweed.
It's a bonfire of peat crackling with black pepper, with a touch of brine and dry barley. A welcome delivery of orchard fruit provides a delicate and beautiful balance.
In a long finish, bonfire embers toast malt and crystallise a sugary underlay.
This is a lesson to all distilleries on what 10 year whiskey is capable of. I'd put this up with Springbank 10 as one of the best values and smoothest drams for the young malt that it is. I can't help but laugh at the negative reviews, especially ones that say they have ties to Skye, but are only trying Talisker for the first time in mid-2017. Ridiculous. This is a standard against which other whiskies are judged and a key component to many famous blends.
Sorry but I could not get the hang of this whisky. Flavour was far too strong and reminded me of creosote. I'll stick to my Tobermory in future.
Balance is what makes Talisker 10 so good. It's smoky, but not like an ashtray. It's sweet, but not too sweet. It's peaty, but you can still taste the underlying honey and malt. And the finish (long & peppery, fading into clean pure maltiness) is unique and satisfying. It's both heavy and light at the same time. I love it. I like many whiskies, but I always keep a bottle of Talisker 10 on hand.
The perfect breakfast Scotch ;)
Very good! Strong but Féria like smooth. Good smoky. Like it so much!
