Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been made since 1830. Aged for a minimum of 10 years in American oak casks within the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye.
It was an Editor’s Choice at Whisky Magazine, a gold medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 and was awarded ‘Best Islands Single Malt’ at the 2017 World Whiskies Awards.
Appearance: Lager amber. A nice viscous film with a substantial tide mark, many medium legs and teardrops and some chaotic droplets. The many medium legs form a corrugated effect in the film. It’s got a great appearance, very inviting.
Nose: Immediately coastal and ‘morning after bonfire smell on the clothes’. Sea salt, sweet seaweed and harbour aromas. There are also cereal notes, honey and chocolate. It’s a well-balanced complex nose that, for the money, is impressive.
There’s a decent ABV wave given the sub-46 % strength, and it’s a good thing.
There is also blackberry sweetness and mint, although faint.
Palate: More mellow than I thought it would be. There’s a spice heat, but it’s well-balanced with the other flavours.
The peat is still there, but it’s buttery and ‘fluid’ as opposed to oppressive. Those coastal notes from the nose continue onto the palate but, again, are nicely interlaced with the rest of the palate elements.
There might even be traces of orange and liquorice, adding to the complexity and explorative nature of this whisky.
Finish: Medium in length. A sweeter finish than I’d have thought when I first tasted it. Quite a mellow and gentle finish, which is moreish and friendly.
Overall: Impressive, especially for the £30 that I paid, on offer at Sainsbury’s. It’s a well-balanced, friendly and complex-enough-to-sit-with whisky that deserves a try (if you’re one of the few that hasn’t already!).
It’s a perfect example of an easy sipper and a whisky that should be a staple in most whisky cupboards.
