Tasting the Atlantic, almost 100 years of Talisker whiskies

Talisker is a great distillery situated on the Isle of Skye on the north of Scotland which now is linked to Scotland using a new bridge inaugurated in 1995.

To get an idea of where Talisker is done, there is no better way ( than visiting the distillery yourself! ) than watching this video around the Isle of Skye.

Talisker is nowadays one of the best selling single malts whiskies from Diageo stock, only behind Cardhu.
The malt used at Talisker whisky is malted at Glen Ord maltings and peated to around 20 ppm.

Although they are peated malts, Talisker single malts whiskies aren’t as peated as Islay whiskies but on the other hand they portrait a delicious spicy peat aromas on the whole range.

This tasting has been something very interesting for me because it is a nice chance of seeing the range from the most basic 10 years old to the 30 years old in a single session. Althought I am not a big fan of the Talisker 10 years old, I have to say that I have really enjoyed this tasting and I have fell in love with the 25 and 30 years old whiskies.

Most of the whiskies from Talisker are bottled at 45.8% ABV, which it is way beyond the cheap 40% other distilleries bottled their whisky. This extra 6% of alcohol makes Talisker a real joy for being tasted straight.

There is no much to say about how I sorted these whiskies, I started with the youngest and left for the end that Talisker 57ª North, as it was the one bottled at a highest proof.

Talisker 10 years old

“Deliciously peated complexity with more than a serving of the sweetest honey. Lovely Talisker”

90

“Famously distinctive Island malt. From the western Scottish island of Skye. I believe that the volcanic rock of Skye contributes to the pungent aroma; peppery flavour; and big finish. Unusual still design may add a further dimension." Michael Jackson

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. peat, honey, citrus, vanilla, cinnamon, wood. Deliciously complex.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. peat, wood, floral, citrus, spices, wood, cinnamon.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, floral, wood, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Talisker 10 year with 90 points over 100.

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Talisker 1993 Amoroso Finish Distillers Edition

“More subtle and complex than Talisker 10yo and almost as good. I prefer the 10yo whisky because of sincere honeyed peated punch”

89

Part of the Diageo's Distillers Edition bottlings, this Talisker distilled in 1993 is a single malt finished in Amoroso wine casks. Really nice whisky.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (89): average. peat, honey, floral, citrus, nuts.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. peat, floral, honey, citrus, wood, pepper.

Finish (89): average. peat, wood, nuts.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Talisker 1993 Amoroso Finish - Distillers Edition with 89 points over 100.

Talisker 18 years old

“Lovely finish. This Talisker 18 years old is a real superb whisky. Grab one!”

91

One of our all-time favourite malts, Talisker 18 years old is a masterpiece from one of Scotland's greatest distilleries, and was named 'Best Single Malt Whisky in the World' at the World Whiskies Awards in 2007. Stunning balance of peat, spice and sweetness.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. peat, honey, wood, spices, dates, candies. Very good nose indeed.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. peat, candies, citrus, wood, spices, pepper.

Finish (91): longer than average. peat, candies, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Talisker 18 year with 91 points over 100.

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Talisker 25 years old

“An awesome Talisker. Perhaps the best value in the whole range with a deliciously sweet nose and a lovely peated and spiced finished. First class single malt!”

92

70cl / 57.2% / Distillery Bottling - Released in 2005, this was the third Talisker 25yo to be released and was acclaimed at the time as being the best so far. Thankfully the standard has remained at an extraordinarily high level ever since.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (92): more than average. peat, sweet, spices, wood, cinnamon, candies, vanilla.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. peat, wood, spices, floral, citrus, candies.

Finish (92): longer than average. peat, floral, spices, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Talisker 25 Year Old / Bot. 2005 Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky with 92 points over 100.

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Talisker 30 years old

“Woo! Oh my! Complex! Lovely Talisker. Maybe the best one”

92

70cl / 57.3% / Distillery Bottling - One of the most consistently excellent of the super premium releases from Diageo, this cask strength Talisker 30yo is vatted from a mix of refill American and European oak casks and sadly limited to less than 3000 bottles worldwide.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (92): more than average. peat, candies, flowers, citrus, honey, spices, cinnamon.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. peat, floral, honey, candies, spices, pepper, wood, cocoa.

Finish (92): longer than average. peat, candies, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Talisker 30 Year Old / Bot. 2010 Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky with 92 points over 100.

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Talisker 57ª North

“Slightly more spiced than other Talisker whiskies but it does work exactly as well. Good one”

90

A new distillery-bottled cask strength Talisker, 57' North is deceptively smooth for a whisky at this strength, but still a muscular presence on the palate, with the pepper and chilli Talisker hallmarks very much in evidence.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. peat, honey, spices, flowers, vanilla.

Palate (90): smooth, powerful, oily. peat, sweet, spices, pepper, wood.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, spices, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Talisker 57º North with 90 points over 100.

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Miguel says…

If you want to feel conquered by the raw peat aromas and sherry tones of the oldest Talisker, don’t miss a dram of the stunning 25 and 30 years old. This is whisky without nonsenses! I love it.

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