Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

I never thought much of Talisker, until this bottle. Bought when it was well priced ($AU 160), but is now over $AU 260, and really hard to find. No wonder there isn't very many reviews, but those are the lucky few.

I'm usually a sherry cask drinker, like Glendronach, but this one gave so much on the nose and tongue. My fav is the oily-ness, and warm your whole body feel. Peaty yes, but in a fragrant sort of way. And it lingers long after.

Absolutely beautiful, and slowly turning me into a peat chaser, and worthy even at the higher price, if you can find it!

21st February 2021

First, for me this is leaps better than the Lagavulin 8 (although I know that has many fans). Here I cannot easily distinguish its youth via the nose or palate. Second, it is one of the best Taliskers, full stop. Again for me, only my memory of the 57 deg North compares. The recent Skye and (Dark) Storm, etc., have been huge disappointments -- at best a single note strength (Port Ruighe was an abomination).

If this sounds familiar to you then mayhap read on... the eight is great. It can be quaffed at full strength, no problem. Bonfire on the beach, and maybe even a bit of beer bitterness on the nose (as if at a bbq). Continuing with the 'B' theme - bandages and betodine... and maybe too morbid, but blood (water, salt, iron). Organic and human! Chocolate salty balls? I've often gotten a strong seafood note that is somewhere between shrimp cocktail and smoked salmon, and the buttery goodness that goes along. This dram is rich, and also sweet. The sweetness works very well with the smoke, salt, and medicinal character. Donuts, not powdered but glazed, and maybe even glazed and smoked meats too. Cake and frosting amid the ashes. And let's not forget the good ol' American Peanut Butter! Oh yeah, it's there.

I'll stop but I'm tempted to continue the malto-porn... honestly, this is the kind of dram that made me fall for Ardbeg ages ago, and frankly reminds me more of their standard range (10, C'Vreckn, U'Dail) than Talisker at many levels. Dear Islay, the glove is laid down in challenge. Dear Talisker, more please!

10th November 2018

I remember the 8YO from the 1970s as being the best Talisker I had ever had, but this is simply astonishing. The most flavoursome whisky I have had in living memory. And I am very old.
Are you sure I can only have one bottle?

3rd October 2018

Get ready to be drop kicked in the face by the sea! This is superb, I cannot see how they got such complexity and depth in a 8yo. The cask strength really makes the flavours in this bottle stand out that extra bit.

26th September 2018