Talisker Storm

I'll drink almost anything- as long as its Laphroig and Lagavulin - particularly Lagavulin - but this especially surprised me as Im not a Talisker fan. I have too admit however, I was disappointed not to notice the sticking plaster and window putty notes.....but immensely enjoyable nonetheless

18th January 2015

- note I forgot to do the star rating - I give it a solid 4, possibly a 4.5 (or as an old Math instructor a solid B or possibly a B+)

16th January 2015

I do the occasional review of my favorite hobby, single malts, on my blog where I express my views in a straight forward manner - I've never tasted bananas, or corroding zinc, or dried mussels or such ilk in any whisky but I do like certain drams more than others. The Talisker Storm seems a lot smoother to me than the 10 year old which I like a lot, although smoother or smoothness is not necessarily a winner for some smooth whiskys leave me cold if they have no depth of flavour, no nose, no lingering finish, but that is just what I find in 'Storm' a smoothness with variations of flavour and a little bite from the 45.8% Alc/vol. The bright gold colour set the stage for enjoyment (and I can say I did enjoy it) then when I swirled it in my stemless wine glass that I use for whisky the aroma of good deep scotch came through strongly. The various flavours as I sip keep tantalizing my brain but in a mild way. Over all I give it about an 85/100 which is really a good whisky. By way of farther reference my favorites for smokey deep whiskys are Laphroiag - 10year old, and Lagavullan - 16 year old, while some other non-smokey whiskys like MacMillan 12 year old also rate high. And a true Scots best recommendation is yes I will buy another.

16th January 2015

I liked my first two bottles of Storm. My wife, however, gave my the T10 for Christmas. Sorry, mates, I've come in from the Storm. The 10 yr old is much better. That and Mackenzie Rye are my new besties.

30th December 2014

The initial taste of this scotch is reminiscent of a properly aged scotch with large amounts of smoke and peat. The after taste/finish is more like that of a dry erase marker, had it been liquefied.

In an effort to make something of this horrible tasting elixir I mixed it with Coke, and that just brought out the medicinal/chemical taste even more. I have had drinks made from a spill pad at a bar before that were more drinkable than this concoction of virgin piss, baby tears and puppy blood.

There is a first for everything, and this is the first time I have poured out a bottle of scotch. Horrible stuff.

29th December 2014

It's tastes like getting punched in the face by the sea.

28th December 2014

Bad, bad, bad. I will never have this brand again.

27th December 2014

I think storm is not so harsh as the 10yr, very drinkable to be kept for a special occasion.

21st December 2014

the previous review is not for this bottling, its actually for DARK STORM, let the storm pass and head for the 10 year old

17th December 2014

As a BIG fan of Talisker 10 I was expecting more of the same and perhaps even more iodine & smoke.. but what a letdown, not in the same league at all. Quite a boring dram, hard to believe its even Talisker.

15th December 2014

Terrible medicinal taste to this garbage. What a waste of a good bottle and cork

7th December 2014

Imagine a dark stormy night off the rocky coasts of Scotland. The air replete with sea salt. The camp fire burning fiercely on a diet of cut peat. A spirit woman rises out of the fire, wrapped in mist and smoke. She reaches and grabs your bottle of fine, highland scotch from your hands, and pours it generously over her ghostly white belly as you watch the whisky run off her womanhood like the surf off the craggy rocks below. Silently she beckons you to her, bringing your stubbled cheeks between her smooth, silky legs.... Yep - that's pretty much what it tastes like.

5th December 2014

It's like being at an orc hen party in deepest February with a depressed bride weeping into a cold bag of chips. Rough, rowdy, and miserable.

14th November 2014

talisker was my favourite whisky for a long time before branching out.
wanted to try the talisker Storm for old times sake.

lots of smoke , peat and iodine .. very good whisky for the price. , I prefer uiegeadial but variety is the spice of life

2nd November 2014

I enjoyed this talisker.
smokey and slightly peaty

2nd November 2014

Absolutely delicious, full bodied, peaty, malty excellence with a very pleasant kick or after-glow!

30th October 2014

Very very smoky & heavy. I prefer the Talisker 10 year though, because the Storm skimps out on the peat and sea-salt that gives the 10 year such balance.

21st October 2014

Very complicated flavour. Couldn't make my mind up whether I liked it or not to begin with. On a third occasion of opening the bottle decided in it's favour. Probably more of one to have as part of a collection to have every now and again than one you would drink in a session, but not a bad thing for that.

10th October 2014

I drank a lot of Scotch in my 20s and 30s, mainly Johnny Walker. Now in my 50s, sick of all the lousy wine out there, I've returned to scotch. This was my first foray into single malts. I recognized the family resemblance to JW going in, loved the mid palate, and got used to the heat in the finish. Lack of big peat not a concern for me personally. I liked the complexity. Currently quaffing Caol Ila 12 at the moment. I prefer its smoothness, but I will buy another bottle of Storm in the furture.

30th September 2014

Surprisingly good, my new fav

18th September 2014

Tasting notes hit it and this is a super drink.

14th September 2014

my favourite whisky,for me the best whisky on earth

14th August 2014

Thanks the Lady,that attract my attention on it at Heathrow Duty Free,I enjoyed it much!!!
According to my test I will put them close to Bowmore Cask strength,but behind THE Darkest

16th July 2014

You can tell this is a Talisker but it is harsher than other expressions; it says intense on the label and that is correct. Long finish, peaty and spicy; don't think I like it as much as the standard 10 year old (wonder how old this one is?)

14th July 2014

Very pleasant whisky. The secret of this malt is hidden beyond its smoke layers. With some drops of water added I discovered a complex drink. Chocolate, peat, chilli and a bit of lemon mixed in a wonderful peat. Its difficult to find a bottle in Brasil, I bought one two mounths ago in Qatar airport.

14th July 2014

Wonderful X 5, for the category (not being 10, 12, 15 18 years on the box) this single malt is placed in a significant category by itself. I personally feel it’s an outstanding single malt. I have had many single malts and sample many others, but non as smooth, complex and aromatic as this. For those who are not pretending to be single malt experts, this is an outstanding first initiation into the world of single malt scotch whiskey, so ignore all the negatives and drink up, it will be exceptional on your pallet and lean on your wallet. I purchased this a Calvert Woodley in Washington, DO for $39+ tax and it was one of my best purchases, going back for more..

6th July 2014

directly and honestly - a muted smell and especially taste rancid rotten corpses and wounds

3rd July 2014

Not up to the 'Talisker' standard, interesting to try once, but it will not be bough again.

3rd July 2014

Reminds me of the Kirkland signature bottle I bought many years ago at 1/2 the price.

14th June 2014

Pepper. Lots of it. Smoke and salt.
Bought on a whim, I'm glad to have tasted it, and can see how I'll enjoy it on a dark and stormy evening, but I prefer the taste of sea I find in the 10 yo.

26th May 2014

I think iT is à great whisky. Amazingly tasty ...

3rd May 2014

Seriously, what is the point of this release? It's like the 10 but not as good in any respect. All the flavours are there, just muted and well hidden. It's less flavoursome and more expensive than the 10. So why make it??

28th April 2014

Salt, iodine, more salt. Perhaps a Laphroaig fan would like this. Much prefer 10 YO, 18 YO, Distillers. Have not tried Dark Storm. A little afraid to now, but can't be much worse.

11th April 2014

Far too salty, instead get the black storm which is a great whisky compering to this one

30th March 2014

One of the one most great whisky in the world

21st March 2014

I do regular whisky tasting evenings for various international colleagues and Taliskers generally are always popular.
As far as I'm aware, this is one of about 5 currently doing the rounds and, based on my own reaction and those of my friends, in terms of the extent to which we simply 'enjoyed' them, I'd rank them in this order: 57° North, 10 Year Old, Distiller's Edition, Dark Storm, Storm.
In other words, this one and it's 'darker' sibling are better than most other 'ordinary' whiskies, but nothing special in comparison to the two really good Taliskers, the 57°N and the 10YO. So, buy them and not this.

19th March 2014

Too medicinal for me! I dont recommend this to my taste

15th March 2014

I picked up a bottle on an impulse. I'm always looking to try a new scotch. I find the whiskey to be smokey and aromatic with a pleasant yet notable hint of the sea. I found it to be a great whiskey and an overall wonderful purchase. Perhaps not for everyone, but most certainly worth a shot!

14th March 2014

Not a bad whisky, but not worthy of the Talisker name. Contrary to its promotion, it's less "in your face" than the Talisker 10, and the much ballyhooed smokiness is lacking. I far prefer the Islays for only a few dollars more.

17th February 2014

Everything about this whisky is 'above average'. Not excellent, but I feel it is one of those whisky's that I can go back to anytime when I want to drift away to the scottish shores, fishing, lighting a small fire on the shore to cook up a freshly caught salmon.

3rd February 2014

This a great value whisky as it packs so much in. It's a whisky which lets you know it's there - with big salty peppery taste, however remains very smooth and drinkable. Dead canny.

29th January 2014

Still better than a lot of Whisky, but as a Talisker falls short. Indeed it seems to be invented by a marketeer instead of a distiller. The Dark Storm is actually a lot better than then normal Storm or the new Port Ruighe. Just get the 10, 18 or 57 north. WAY better stuff.

26th January 2014

Talisker storm is too quaffable, I enjoy it so much that one dram is never enough, beautiful nose, taste and after taste, went through 3 bottles last year and have another bottle standing by. I too used to enjoy Lagavulin 16yr old as my favourite tipple (but still enjoy it) but has now been topped by a Storm!

12th January 2014

I love Talisker 10 year. There is none finer.
But this 'Storm' label stuff- just terrible.

29th December 2013

I love this! It's quickly becoming my favorite. I find it easy to drink. It's a nice smoke finish and each sip makes me feel like on on the ocean side...

29th December 2013

Very good. It has a nice balance of peat and salt in the finish. I recommend picking up a bottle.

24th December 2013

damn good
lovely on its own
or with a little soda
miles better than most commercial
and like all talisker

no thick head in the morning

13th December 2013

I missed out on giving a star rating - which I've now rectified.

30th November 2013

A stunning whisky - for all the right reasons. Very close to elbowing aside my all-time favourite: Lagavulin 16-y-o. Highly recommended to anybody who understands what a great whisky should really taste like.

30th November 2013

Yes, I like Ardbeg (putting it above the 10yo Talisker) and I really like the Laphroaig (especially the Quarter Cask), but this TStorm is really good. For me, complex, different, still peaty, mmmm good. In my top 1/3 and, likely by the time I get to the bottom of the bottle, close to the top on my list. I do like an age statement, but as someone already said NAS or no NAS, go get.

20th October 2013

Not really my cup of tea, nose is reminiscent of monkey arpit with a hint of juniper and a slight sprinkle of Brut 22.
Palate was interesting enough as it suggested traffic wardens insole mixed with lime and rubber gloves.
Finish was a little to gangbang for me and overall just a bit too Michael Jackson.

9th October 2013

Going thru Duty Free at Heathrow the bottle of Talisker Dark Storm caught my eye. I had not seen it available in the USA before and thought this might be something special for the European market and that I should get it. My first hint that this was not the Talisker I liked, was the lack of an Age designation. Much to my surprise Dark Storm is not proudly recognized on the Talisker web site. I tasted it last night and was extremely disappointed with the thin light taste. plenty of smoke just not depth. My recommendation - don't waste your money on this whiskey.

6th October 2013

I live in Poland. My wife has bought a litre bottle at Aberdeen duty free and I can't wait to taste it when I return from Saudi Arabia - a totally dry country - in October. Will keep you posted...

20th September 2013

They shouldn't have put their name to it. I bought it because I like Talisker - mistake.

9th September 2013

I bought a bottle, thinking this could be interesting. I should have saved my money and gone for the standard bottling. This one should be marketed as Talisker lite

21st August 2013

I tried this at a well known shop.this not as good as the standard bottling.It was dumbed down for the mass market.
I will not not be buying a bottle,to be honest I was gutted.The 10 and the 18 are 2 of the best whiskies on the planet!

9th August 2013

I found this lacking in complexity and quite bitter. Yet another poor whisky which could only sell in the Duty Free arena. Wouldn't have guessed it was Talisker!

6th August 2013

Try without water as water won't really improve the flavour.

Intense, smoky and maybe we will try it again (maybe one bottle is enough!)

19th July 2013

Being an old Talisker and Ardbeg aficionado I couldn't miss this new storm,and IMO the marketing is right: this whisky feels like their answer to the success Ardbeg is enjoying in the last years.
Yes it's salty (very), yes it's smokey (a lot more than the 10 years), yes it's a peated as Ardbeg 10 years (Talisker 10 years is slightly peated, but not so overhelming), probably it's also made from younger Talisker than 10 years, it's VERY aggressive, your palate and tongue can testify it, definitely not a whisky for everyone but if you like Islay single malts and you want something more than Ardbeg 10 years this is for you.

17th July 2013

The Talisker storm feels like the product of a marketer rather than a distiller. The nose/taste is confused.
Their 10 years is far better.

28th June 2013

This was a weird surprise. It's actually quite good and enjoyable when sitting on the deck on my boat after a long day. A perfect whiskey to enjoy.

20th June 2013

Not as much peat as a traditional Talisker but a lovely mouthfilling experience with a long finish, rich and dark with spicy top notes. One for the favourites list I think

22nd May 2013

An interesting expression from Talisker. The peat is less obvious, and the dram is characterised by a sweet pepperiness. There seems to be a sherry influence, adding additional complexity. A lovely dram, obviously Talisker, but accessible to those who are less fond of peat. The name perhaps implies a different tone, but you cannot fault the dram!

14th May 2013

I felt there was a beery smell there. The Talisker peat is there although not very strong. Total impression: uninteresting. Not bad but not inspiring either. Having also tried 10yo, DE, 57 and 18 I'd say the Storm is my least favourite of the current Talisker lineup so far.

11th May 2013

I ordered a sample of this dram, and when I tasted it, it was nothing like Talisker. The nose is the most interesting about it. At first it was like newly sharpened pencil, but this luckily faded off quickly and was replaced by tropical fruits and salt. The taste completely lacks the peppery Talisker Trademark, but instead it has huge amounts of salt, it's quite metal-like, dry and edgy to taste. Water doesn't change that impression. No malt and almost no oak. My husband said; if I didn't knew what it was, I would have guessed something from Old Pulteney. I agree. I is marketed as something in between the 10 year old and the 57 degrees north, but it is not. Buy one of them instead - the are much better. Now I know I'm not going for more Storm.

10th May 2013

This is a seriously tasty whisky. Thrilling stuff!

21st March 2013

Nas or no NAS. this is a cracker. go get.

5th March 2013