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.
I can understand why some who are new to whisky do not like Talisker 10 as much as some others. I put this down to its rather fearsome delivery which to the unaccustomed can appear somewhat too much. Like many of the Islay drams (Talisker is from Skye but the comparison is valid) it requires a certain amount of initiation before its full enjoyment can be achieved (easily achieved by drinking more whisky!) Talisker for me encapsulates Scotland in a glass, its like a big Scotsman walking up to you in his kilt and giving you a big fat whisky kiss, add a heather moorland windy island location and you get the picture. Its fantastic stuff. For me perhaps the best 10 year old single malt out there. Only the 18 year old surpasses it in my book...
It's certainly not awful, but this has a somewhat rank flavor in the midpalate that clashes horribly with chocolate mousse. It's a yeast-like, somewhat chemical flavor. It might be good alone but do not try to pair it under any condition as it tastes somewhat bizzare.
I heard good things about this scotch so decided to spring for a bottle to share with a buddy of mine. We both sat down took a sip, at first taste it seems like its going to be good until that odd gasoline flavor hits you. I could have bought a gallon of gasoline for $3.57 and saved myself a ton of money!
How anyone who has actually developed their palate and not respected the Mighty Talisker, not love or at least respect this exception variety staggers the imigination... Yet not as much as I stagger after drinking this liquid of bliss. I have a difficult time stopping once I start this beauty. It is the most dangerous liquid I have ever tasted, and I have tasted many many varieties. The haters must be a different species that amoung us. I can not speak to those who drink over the $200 US mark But I can speak to most others... Try it for yourself, but first develope your pallet... One path would be: Glenfiddich18 (or 15 to save $)>Clynelish14>Oban14>Talisker10>Cao Ila12>Laguvalin16 Move slowly and then back and forth(uh...take days if not weeks :-) You will know your own mind on the matter.
This is one of those whiskys that sends new drinkers running for the jack and coke hills, its not by any means "tasty" but my god i emptied that bottle faster than anything in my collection. It's a smoky, almost cooked pork and fish and seawater nose, and a tough, spicy peppery peaty palate, and a finish that makes you think you could speak honey but breathe fire.
