Talisker 18 Year Old
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
45.8% ABV
$145-$190
Website
What the Distillery Says
Produced at the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye, Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been made by the sea since 1830, with its smell and taste instantly connecting you to its rugged maritime home. Every sip is a taste of the Isle of Skye itself, one of the most remote, windswept yet beautiful landscapes in Scotland. With wonderful sweetness and warmth, intertwined with just a thread of smoke, Talisker 18 Year Old is an award-winning whisky that is rich and soft but still assertive. Named the ‘Best Single Malt Whisky in the World 2007’ at the World Whiskies Awards, Talisker 18 Year Old is a single malt masterpiece. Talisker 18 Year Old makes a perfect gift for connoisseurs looking to explore new depths of flavour amongst smoky island single malt whiskies.
Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed neat or add a splash of water or ice to reveal rich notes of plum, orange peel, and toffee.
APPEARANCE: Amber.
BODY: Full bodied, pleasant and smooth.
NOSE: Rich and fruity Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind.
PALATE: Sweet in front, then more assertive, with a whiff of smoke. The overall effect is warming. The development is towards smoke, coal-tar, and toffee.
FINISH: Medium length and chilli ‘catch’ in the finish.
What Gary Says
Nose: Thick, rich and smoky, dark fruits, peaches, kiwi, grassy, honey, smoked brisket, hint of balsamic and worn leather.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with honey, fruit, peat smoke, savory spice notes.
Finish: Long, damp with fruit, pepper spice and subtle peat.
Comments: I’m a fan of Talisker, and this only reinforces that – a delightful, wonderfully balanced dram with peat, smoke, fruit and savory notes. I could nose this for hours, if it wasn’t so delicious to sip. This is a pour where giving it time in the glass is worth the wait. “They” say to give an aged whiskey 1 minute in the glass for every year on the label. I don’t have that kind of patience, but think I made it a solid 10 minutes, and it was definitely better than when freshly poured.