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.
Took neat in a proper glass. Extra strong at nose before sip. Halfway stage mixed 20cc of water. Smoothened out. Sweet, lingering and peppery at the back. Forces you to think. Very good.
Well, maybe I should say, that this is my first "superior" whiskey, so I am not sure if I am able to judge. But I would like to say, that it was good decision for this whiskey. I really love that smoke and spicy taste.Price performance ratio is just AWESOME!
At first this whiskey seems almost salty like seaweed but the salty ocean like taste makes way for a smokey leathery nose and an equally smokey taste along with the addition of tangy peat an overall pleasure to drink however given a choice between this and oban I would have to pick the latter
Over the years I have sampled a relatively large number of single malts (though thankfully, I am nowhere near even halfway through those available!)and I must admit that while I have developed a distinct preference for some (Laphroaig, Dalwhinnie15, even a Bowmore on occasion)I just can not get past the peppery, rough taste of a Talisker. Given my open armed appreciation (naturally, with varying degrees of enthusiasm) for just about every other single malt I have tried, it's a curious thing. It tastes, to me only perhaps, like a good single malt that has been tampered with. Puts me in a minority, I suppose, but there you go.
