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.
Smells wonderfully sweet on an initial nose (I immediately thought of cider) and with a lovely smoke, but simply too tough on the palate. It's a little too strong for my liking despite the relatively modest alcohol content, so one for some watering down. Completely agree with the above comments about a medicinal/chemical quality. Aftertaste is pretty smooth but not enough going on generally - I'm really confused by all the rave reviews. I'm off to tuck into the Distiller's Edition.
Best whiskey I have ever had.
The smoked element to this whisky is absolutely foul. I can't help but think something has gone seriously wrong as it just tastes of burnt plastic. i forced down a measure telling myself it would get better but quite frankly it made me feel ill. I cannot fathom how people can enjoy this whisky and can only assume that the good reviews are marketing plants!!!
Peat-forward whiskies, such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Talisker, etc., are not for the faint hearted. It is a classic whisky in every right, and is what a whisky should be. Right now, floral/sweet/light, and boutique bottlings of fragrant multi-wood casks are all the rave because they're feminine, and dessert like. Cragganmore, Talisker, Oban, Lagavulin, Glenkinchie, and Dalwhinnie are the "classics". They are meant to warm you up on a cold scottish night. The smokiness makes it pair exceptionally well with food. And it is fairly complex despite being 10 years old, although peaty whiskies are best young. If you hate this, stay away from Islay whiskies, if you want to like it... start drinking blended scotch instead of feminine perfume bottlings. I didn't taste a big medicinal/bandage rubber saltiness out of Talisker as much as Laphroaig, and Lagavulin was saltier and less smoky. Anyway, it's not the whisky, it's the drinker.
Smokey rather than peaty to me. Very enjoyable would buy again.
