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.
To begin with, let explain my seemingly eclectic palate. My favorite whiskies are : Glenfarclas (all years) , Oban 14, Lagavulin 16, Tomatin 18, and now Talisker 10. I don't have the knowledge of more sophisticated Scotch drinkers and can't explain about "tarry rope" flavors and the like because, for one thing, I've never eaten a tarry rope. But, I DO know what I like and really like this whisky! I bought my first bottle a few days ago and it is now finished and I will buy more. Enough said.
I'm really not a big fan of peaty whiskies. The Glenfarclas line are my favorites. But I really like this whisky! I bought a bottle a few days ago and I finished it of last night. The more I drank, the more I liked it. I really can't explain why. I just know what I like. As of now my favorites are Glenfarclas 10, 12, and 17. Oban 14, Lagavulin 16, Tomatin 18, and now Talisker 10. Can anyone out there explain my palate to me? It all seems to be pretty eclectic. I'm not a very sophisticated Scotch man yet and really can't go into detail about "tary ropes" and other flavors because I've never ate a tary rope. I can relate to "nutty",vanilla" ,oak,smoke,etc..
Palete/taste range: - Sharp alcohol, peat, peaty smoke, barley, increased thickness, round, sweetness, salty and sweet long finish!! What a balance between peaty smoke and sweet/salt! But it is a teaser for your tastes. I am new to malts but love this one! Found it on discount in supermarked. How to enjoy: - to relaxation after long hard day at work. Prefer to sip it neat from small glass. ;-) I highly recomment this one! At least buy this one before the other Taliskers.
I'm not a lover of the traditional Islay peaty powerhouses. However, I just tried a sample of this Talisker 10 from Skye and it is surprisingly well balanced and beautifully peated. Understandably, peat is a very polarizing note. Some love it, others hate it. I feel this one could easily appeal to both. From a neat pour there's plenty of peat smoke, cinnamon sugar sweetness, barbeque sauce, and sea salt on the nose. The palate is round and smooth. The chaps are right; there is an ashy and peppery quality there, but they're wrong on one thing - it's not that intense. Despite a slight soapiness and medicinal note in the aftertaste, this dram was quite enjoyable! If you like Talisker 10 but want to taste around, try the Bowmore 15 Darkest. Similar flavour profiles, but the Bowmore has a few extra years to build some sweeter sherried characteristics that I think play quite well with the peat.
I mean no disrespect, as I do appreciate Talisker's products but I do think the 10yo has changed over the past couple of years. It doesn't have as much depth and complexity. That being said Talisker 18 is still divine.
