Brilliant gold in appearance, a powerful peat smoke with just a hint of sea water saltiness, fresh oysters and a citrus sweetness on the nose. It's full bodied with a palate of rich dried-fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong barley-malt flavours, warming and intense. Peppery at the back of the mouth, It has a long, warming finish with an appetising sweetness.
What I think:
Talisker is another award winning scotch, this is an Island malt, coming from Skye. Unlike some of the other Island Malts, Talisker does not beat you about the head with smoke and peat, it is more refined and subtle.. Please don't get me wrong though, this is a massive Scotch with huge flavours, just they all seem very delicately balanced.
On the nose you do get peat, and smoke, and slight fish and citrus. Sounds awful? well it is not. This Whisky is complex enough for the discerning palate, but not so brutal a first timer will be put off. On the palate you get some intense flavours, peat and smoke, balanced out with sweetness (not quite fruit sweet), a spicy flavour, some pepper and some very subtle citrus notes. Maybe some vanilla? but not sure... The finish is huge, with tastes developing long after your first swallow, along with peat and warmth.
It is obviously a coastal malt, and the flavours arrive as gale force winds do, unexpectedly, yet beautifully in sequence. For the inexperienced Whisky drinker this is not a bad bottle to try, it will certainly let you know if you like 'peaty' Scotch, without blowing your head off and having your mouth tasting like creosote smells...
Easily a daily drinker and again, Whisky drinkers will not be horrified if you produced a bottle, in fact, if you have one, let me know and I will join you! Cost is around £25-40 per bottle with some older packages and limited editions costing over £100...
Personally I like this expression... A good strong 7.25 out of 10.
