A Vertical Tasting: Talisker

[Capn Jimbo]

Don't you love being vertical?


No comment, but as budding whisk(e)y drinkers, it's so nice to have an affordable way to appreciate Single Malts. A long time ago I ran across one of those holiday packs, this time for Talisker. It included Talisker 10, Talisker 18 and their Distilller Edition (double matured, Amoroso) at about 13 years. Each came in a nice 200 ml bottle. Considering that this trio would price out at about $250 for 750's, finding this one at a mere $29, for the equivalent of $67 of good single malt is exceptional and a wonderful opportunity to learn...

Mind you we do hold ourselves as budding whisky reviewers, so caveat emptor. Here's some brief impression, with both Sue Sea and my comments integrated...

Talisker 10

Aroma: leather, peach, bandaid, a bit of spice (clove?) and a lovely peat.

Taste: early honey/fruity open, with increasing spice, peat/smoke leading to a ginger, clove and black pepper sweet heat finish.

Aftertaste: peaty/smokey.

Sue Sea found the the palate a bit coating, with an unremarkable finish, but lovely aftertaste.

Score (ten is best): 7.


Talisker 18

Now we're getting into the vertical part. Just what did 8 more years accomplish.

Aroma: richer with a more distinct ripe peach and fruit well integrated over peaty smoke.

Taste: smoother (sorry) and richer and with a notably hotter finish (now a white pepper)

In sum, the 18 year was surely similar, but noticeably less choppy and more integrated, smooth and flowing.

Score (ten is best): 8.


Distiller's Edition, 13

The double maturing - 8 years in American Oak, 5 years in Amoroso - and the peach has become more a bing cherry, concord grape and a bit of dark fruit raisin and leather. The overall impression is richer and deeper, thicker and with notable dark fruit and tar. The peat and smoke still prevails - beautifully - at the close. No score.

This seems what is frequently referred to as a "sherried" malt, with the addition of a potent spicy/smokey balance. Unusual, very interesting - not our cup of tea - but well done. Sherried fans may go nuts (pun intended) over this one.

This one makes clear the use of both age and differing wood.