Thoroughly Tasting Talisker

Talisker is one of my fav coastal distilleries, it has a peaty character that's a bit more spicy than the peat found on Islay, and I think the fact that it has a slightly lower peat level than most Islayers, lets the malt get more of a say. Anyway, if ever proposed an older Talisker, be sure to consider it even though the price initially might not seem right.

Talisker 10yo 45.8% OB (80's?)

The seller preached of this being a bottling from the 80's. I have my doubts, perhaps mid-to-late 90's would be my guess. Anyway, an classic whisky that still holds high quality. Some evaporation. The color is amber, darker than the most recent batches. It smells of smoke, tarry, sail ropes, sherry, dry port wine, peppery, grape vinegar. The taste is sweet, peppery, peaty, oily, grease, bacon fat, salty, licorice. A rather light talisker, mellow peat compared to today's output, but still a very good coastal whisky.

Smooth 'n' winey Talisker: 6


Talisker 13yo 1986-1999 45.8% OB Distillers Edition

Finished for some months, I think 6, in amoroso sherry casks. The color on this is golden brown, almost orange. It smells of sweet, tannic, red wine, oranges, pineapple juice, sweet licorice, dark chocolate, coffee, honey. The taste is leather, red onions, drying, stout, pancakes, marzipan, smoke, iodine, peppery, peat. This one could have some water? With 1 1/2 teaspoon of water added it turns sweeter, honey, oranges, lime juice, schweppes bitter lemon, tonic water, much smoother now, easy-drinking malt.

Very nice actually, let's try another vintage of the DE: 7


Talisker 13yo 1992-2005 45.8% OB Distillers Edition

Pretty close color to the 1986. Remember, all of these DE's from Talisker have been finished in Amoroso sherry casks. It smells of cinnamon, grassy, ammonium, chlorine, earthy, far more raw than the '86. The taste is sweet, honey, peppery, red wine, marsala, slightly herbal. This one comes as a bit of a surprise as its very light and non-coastal on the palate. The peat is almost unrecognizable in this one.

Not worth the money in my opinion, I'll rather have the standard 10yo: 4.5


Skeabost 25yo 46% Bottled for Skeabost House Hotel, Isle of Sky

So, here's the case. I have no idea who's bottled this whisky, but its a single malt, and Skeabost Hotel is on the Isle of Skye. Therefore I'm assuming, with little credibility, that this whisky was distilled at Talisker Distillery, since its the only distillery on the Isle of Skye. I bet this is a pretty old bottle, so it has a great fill level. The color is golden amber, not far from the 10yo. It smells of honey, sugar, apples, vanilla ice cream, cardboard, baking powder, wheat, I believe I can say that this surely isn't a Talisker. The taste is fresh, fruity, vanilla, honey, mascarpone cheese, creamy, very nice and elegant, reminds me of some older Glenlivets actually.

On another day, in another company, it might even go higher: 7


Talisker 22yo 1979-2001 50% Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask Director's Tactical Selection

Tactical is Douglas Laing's definition of Talisker, as they have, alongside Glenfarclas and a couple other distilleries refused to be mentioned with the distillery name on IB bottlings. The color is golden. It smells of vanilla, peat, custard, peppery, peaty, coastal, salty, iodine, burnt hair, chicken stock. Not all that pleasant. The taste is thick, creamy, bitter, peaty, pretty raw, grainy, ginger, apple vinegar, sugary, yeast. I must say I'm a bit disappointed now, at this age I think it should've mature more, seems very young.

I like this whisky, but it lacks some complexity: 5


Talisker 25yo 57.8% OB 2004 release

I've tried even older Talisker's than this, but never from bourbon casks, let's hope bourbon wood can bring out the full potential of this Talisker. The color is amber. It smells of vanilla, grassy, leeks, gun powder, chewing gum, rubber, cod liver, turmeric, red paprika, peat, ginger, red onions. The taste is drying, sugary sweet, plum wine, peppery, peaty, idodine, burnt, licorice, coffee. This is more in Laphroaig and Lagavulin territory, a splendid peaty malt. I wonder, at 25ppm, howcome it seems 50ppm higher than Ardmore, whilst only 5ppm difference. Maybe its the coastal character provoking more of an Islay feeling.

Superb Island character: 8


Talisker NAS 57% OB 57 North

Gordon & Macphail used to bottle some Talisker at 57%abv, now the distillery has followed that trend. Let's have them one on one. First the distillery edition. The color is golden/amber. It smells of peaty, waxy, burnt notes, peaty, rubbery, earthy, damp. The taste is burnt, sugary, syrup, honey, peat, just too sweet and spirity for me. Perhaps water will help. Now it turns hazy straight away, coal, ashes, more burnt notes, phenolic, but better in my opinion. At least more easily drinkable.

I'm having a bit of trouble with this one now: 5.5


Talisker NAS 57% Gordon & Macphail

100 Proof means 57%abv in american measurement. Even though no age statement, I believe older casks of Talisker were available for a better price so there might be some older stock in this one. The color is hazel brown. It smells of mint, cloves, farmhouse, sweet, honey and oloroso, cinnamon, orange zest, fog, wet grass, peppery. The taste is sweet, licorice, honey, peppery, ginger, lime zest, leather, oak, vanilla, malt syrup, earthy, salty, peppery, peaty, a bit extreme one might say, but I like this raw peaty spirity style. Let's add some water. Now it turns peppery, ammonium, gunpowder, licorice, rather bitter and salty.

I know this has collected much praise, I'm not that impressed: 6.5


Talisker 14yo 1979-1993 63.9% Cadenhead's

Cadenhead's have bottle a huge array of 1979 CS Cadenhead's, all over 60%abv. Perhaps instrumental to the reputation the distillery has got today. The color is golden with some cask sediments. It smells of honey and peppery notes, some peat smoke and coal, bonfire, ashes, sugary, plums, floral, nutty, white pepper, vanilla, flour sugar. The taste is sweet, bourbon notes, maize, corn syrup, honey, strawberry jam, oaky, leather, blue cheese, vanilla, egg cream, butterscotch, salt, smoke, bonfire, oak, cigars, grassy, very salty. The finish is peppery, tannic, red wine and smoked ham. This is no less than a superb smoky malt whisky!

Great stuff, time for the IB's to invest in more Talisker if that's doable: 9



Next tasting: 4 random peaty whiskies