SMWS 14.15 (Talisker 15yo 1989/2004)

SMWS 14.15 (Talisker 15yo 1989/2004)

2004, SMWS
Single malt - Islands
Pale yellow
59.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Charcoal ash, peat, lemon zest, autumn leaves, clay dust, watermelon rind, fresh cut grass. With water, menthol, autumn leaves, clay dust, soot. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, volatile. 
Tasting:  Salty sour. Lemon zest, autumn leaves, charcoal ash, tobacco leaf, clay dust, watermelon rind, gooseberries. With water, soot, tobacco leaf, charcoal ash, menthol. 
Finish: Long. Charcoal ash, soot, clay dust, gooseberries, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Thick layers of peat, smoke and ash overlay a delicate, grassy spirit. Lots of saline diary notes that may come from the age (including the bottle aging). A delicious dram in a style which is rarely seen nowadays.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Talisker 11yo 1988/1999

Talisker 11yo 1988/1999

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing

Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, peat, burning leaves, yoghurt, smoke, honey, fresh baked bread. With water, magic marker, fresh cut grass, acetone. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Malted grains, yoghurt, magic marker, burning leaves, honey, smoke, fresh baked bread. With water, acetone, peat, magic marker, burning leaves. 
Finish: Medium. Burning leaves, peat, smoke, honey, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Quite malty but laden with autumn flavours, burning leaves, smoke, and peat. Bitter and complex. A little more fruit would be good, I’m probably less of a nail varnish fan than most. Still, a rather good dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Talisker 44yo Forests of the Deep

Talisker 44yo Forests of the Deep

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Amber
49.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, blue cheese, leather, raisins, damson jam, chocolate, brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Raisins, orange peel, malted grains, damson jam, camphor, oolong tea, chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, chocolate, camphor, oolong tea, blue cheese. 

Comments: 

Really sweet and savoury, a throwback to Talisker of the late 2000s. There are some floral, slightly tannic notes that remind me of the best oolong tea. Magnificent dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Talisker 1974 Golden Eagle

Talisker 1974 Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle label, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Islands
Bronze
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Ginseng, camphor, white grapes, roast chicken, white pepper, cinder toffee, hints of butterscotch. With water, white grapes, honey, butterscotch. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Toffee, petrol exhaust, smoke, camphor, roast chicken, cinder toffee, butterscotch, Chinese angelica. With water, smoke, camphor, white grapes, honey, butterscotch. 
Finish: Long. Leather, roast chicken, smoke, Chinese angelica. 

Comments: 

A really good dram that I’ve been chasing for some time. It’s meaty and rich, bitter and herbal, with some smoky petrol flavours. I’m really happy I got the chance to taste this.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Talisker 10yo 2012/2022

Talisker 10yo 2012/2022

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islands
Very pale gold
48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, honey, driftwood smoke, peat, wet stones, oyster shells, hints of orange juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Oyster shells, peat, driftwood smoke, lemon sweets, honey, olive brine, hints of butterscotch. 
Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, orange juice, driftwood smoke, peat, coffee. 

Comments: 

Cask DL16341. A very savoury, yet delicate Talisker, with some sweet highlights. Nevertheless the first impression is bitter peat, covering some very delicate, almost floral flavours. Very impressive dram for its age.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Talisker Distillery Exclusive #2

Talisker Distillery Exclusive #2

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Silvery gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, fresh cut grass, autumn leaves, sea salt, lemon juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Smoke, fresh cut grass, sea salt, green peppers, lemon juice. 
Finish: Long. Lemon juice, green apples, green peppers, sea salt, smoke. 

Comments: 

Quite a stripped back, straightforward Talisker, plenty of sea brine and interesting vegetal notes. It’s laden with earthy peat, prevalent on the nose more than anywhere else. Interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Talisker 11yo (Special Releases 2022)

Talisker 11yo (Special Releases 2022)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Bright gold 
55.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, leather, peat, photocopy paper, hazelnuts, hints of white chocolate. With water, honey, lemon sweets, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Lemon sweets, peat, germolene, peanuts, cream, photocopy paper, hints of leather. With water, honey, leather, lemon sweets, germolene. 
Finish: Medium. Leather, peat, ginseng, hazelnuts. 

Comments: 

Quite a subtle whisky, lots of feinty, sour notes on the nose. It’s medicinal on the tongue, the peat is quite strong but not overpowering. Lots of bitter, tart notes that increase the complexity. A pleasant and interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker Storm

Talisker Storm 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Amber gold
45.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Tyre rubber, yoghurt, leather, heather honey, smoke, hints of yoghurt drink. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Tyre rubber, charcoal ash, heather honey, smoke, butterscotch, chocolate, hints of pears. 
Finish: Medium. Heather honey, charcoal ash, pears, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Quite a savoury, sulphurous whisky, with an ashy underlying note. Over that, there’s plenty of sweet stuff but on the finish the smoke dominates. Especially good with oysters.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker 30yo (bottled 2015)

Talisker 30yo (bottled 2015)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Pale amber
45.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast beef, driftwood smoke, leather, peat, sea salt, tobacco leaf, raisins, applesauce. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, slippery, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Driftwood smoke, leather, tobacco leaf, raisins, black pepper, applesauce, dried apricots, hints of roast beef. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, black pepper, peat, tobacco leaf, hints of dried apricots. 

Comments: 

Wonderful, wonderful, lots of smoke, apple and meaty robust roast beef. The age shows on this one, it’s intense and complex, with each note clearly defined. It’s beautifully balanced whisky. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Talisker Friends of the Classic Malts (bottled 2003)

Talisker Friends of the Classic Malts (bottled 2003)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Chinese tea 
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, sea salt, lime juice, toast, leather, honeydew melons, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, warm, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Lime juice, leather, sea salt, honeydew melons, olive oil, hints of leather, hints of roast pork. 
Finish: Long. White pepper, honeydew melons, leather, toast, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

A limited edition enhanced by a generous dollop of old bottle effect. There’s a savoury oily note underlying a lot of fruit and gentle peat. It’s quite well integrated and a delight to drink.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Talisker 8yo 2011/2020 (2020 Special Releases)

Talisker 8yo 2011/2020 (2020 Special Releases)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
57.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, leather, seaweed, white grapes, malted grains, hints of honey, hints of raisins. With water, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, orange peel, hints of vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. White grapes, honey, green tea, lemons, seaweed, sea salt, leather, hints of fresh baked bread. With water, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, leather, hints of seaweed. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, sea salt, orange peel, sultanas, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

Quite complex despite the young age. There’s a briny savouriness, which is how you might know it’s Talisker. It’s also reasonably sweet, especially in the finish, and there’s some lemon here as well.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker 7yo 2009/2016

Talisker 7yo 2009/2016

Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islands
Pale silver
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, leather, seaweed, peat, smoke, butter, tablet. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, oily, mouth coating, smooth. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Honey, butter, vanilla, leather, peat, smoke, seaweed. 
Finish: Long. Seaweed, butter, shortcrust pastry, smoke. 

Comments: 

DL Cask 11521. Beneath that classic Talisker shroud of seaweed, peat and smoke, lies a delicious honeyed sweetness, allied with buttery pastry bite. The whisky itself is slightly oily, and has a depth of flavour that belies its 46% strength.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Talisker 8yo 2009/2018

Talisker 8yo 2009/2018

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold 48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, bacon, peat, driftwood smoke, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, turns watery, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Lemon zest, orange blossom, peat, bacon, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Peat, sea salt, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, hints of driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 12364. A light and unusual Talisker. It's not very marine, but there's plenty of peat, smoke and bacon rind. It's floral, yet meaty, with delicious cereal notes in the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker Port Ruighe

Talisker Port Ruighe

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Amber
45.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, honey, cedar, lemons, orange peel, hints of grapefruit, hints of red grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery, slightly oily.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Orange peel, palm sugar, peat, smoke, lemons, red grapes, grapefruit, hay, hints of peanuts.
Finish: Short. Peanuts, honey, peat, orange peel.

Comments:

Citric tartness, mixed with smoke (for me the hallmark of Talisker), but here overlaid by a delicious sweetness. The usual fruity red grapes I associate with port. Lots of other interesting notes, the smoke is somewhat subdued, in the background. Nice.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 14.17 (Talisker 20 yo 1989/2009)

SMWS 14.17 (Talisker 20 yo 1989/2009)

2009, SMWS
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
52.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, coconuts, heather honey, sea salt, seaweed, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, smooth, watery, loosens.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Heather honey, sea salt, seaweed, raisins, orange peel, hints of peat .
Finish: Medium. Coconuts, raisins, heather honey.

Comments:

A great salty seaweedy Talisker, very different from the somewhat sweet, smoky official bottlings. There's just a glimmer of smoke in this, with a lot of peat and salt. The orangey characteristics that appear as marmalade in the official bottlings comes through here as orange peel.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker 57' North

Talisker 57' North

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Amber orange
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, honey, mint, peanuts, marmalade, grilled beef, hints of pencil lead. With water, cough mixture, leather and apples appear.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thick, viscous, oily.
Tasting: Sweet. Smoke, peat, honey, marmalade, grilled beef, apples, pears, hints of lavender. Turns sweeter with water, notes of apple pie and cotton candy appear.
Finish: Long. Mint, honey, peanuts, apples.

Comments:

This is an excellent Talisker. I feel that this is better than the 18 yo, even. Normally this is only available at duty free, but a few bottles have found their way to normal retailers. The slight mintiness is very appealing.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Talisker 20 yo 1982/2003

Talisker 20 yo 1982/2003

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands, Skye
Light orange gold
58.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, apples, cream, peat, smoke, white pepper.
Mouthfeel:Medium body, thick, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Marmalade, condensed milk, ginger, spiced apples, pepper, candied winter melon, a hint of peat.
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, quinine, hints of rose, hints of melon.

Comments:

Wow. Lots going on in this whisky, almost too much for me. Fruity and creamy, married to bitter, slightly peaty notes. Very good, and I like the strength too. A little water kills the fruity subtleties, so it's meant to be drunk strong. Nice.

Verdict:

I like this a lot!

Talisker 10 yo

Talisker 10 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands (Skye)
Golden
45.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, white pepper, sherry, toffee, butter fudge, hint of smoked meat.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, smooth, thick, luscious.
Tasting: Salty bitter. White pepper, cayenne pepper, peaches, cream, butterscotch.
Finish: Medium. Sour cream, peat, walnut skin.

Comments:

Starts out the same as its older cousin, with the meaty, peaty, sweet notes. But it then gets more bitter and more salty, with lots of pepper. Can't say I prefer the 18 yo to this - it's more interesting than pleasurable. Great mouthfeel though.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker 18 yo

Talisker 18 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands (Skye)
Amber, tinge of rose
45.8% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Smoke, preserved pork, soya sauce, cinnamon, crème brulee, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body. Oily, viscous, smooth, expands in the mouth.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Citrusy, Seville orange marmalade, bacon and bread.
Finish: Medium. Tobacco, peanuts, cheddar cheese, burnt sugar.

Comments:

Delicious savoury and salty combination. This whisky was Whisky Magazine's best whisky of 2006. Tastes to me like a bacon and Seville orange marmalade sandwich - bizarre but delicious! I love this whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot!