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Talisker 18 Year Old

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0 990

@GlenmaxReview by @Glenmax

26th Mar 2010

0

Talisker 18 Year Old
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    90

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What a gift to the whisky world. The Talisker 18 year has become my new favorite single malt Scotch. I have been purchasing and sampling many different bottles. Some have been good to excellent while others are average at best.

I had some apprehension purchasing this bottle. Of the regions I have sampled, highland and speyside drams seemed to be the most in line to my taste. I had only sampled one Islay, a bottle of Lophroaig 15. Although it didn't taste bad, it had an overwhelming band-aid taste I could not escape. This stopped the purchase of another Islay for a few bottles. How foolish I was in that regard.

The nose on the Talisker was very woody and pearish with hints of smoke and Iodine. No essence overtook another which made for a pleasant balance.

The taste initially is very smoky and buttery with an undertone of fruit and iodine. The smoke is at the right balance and works within the (system). The iodine hints are also perfectly leveled and the warth is very pleasant.

I would say the finish is medium-long and warm. This is where the iodine exerts itself and the fruit and smoke settle into the back seat for a nice country drive.

My retailer had two bottles of this when I bought the first one. I have heard in some circles that the Talisker 18 is somewhat hard to come by. I think it is time for my first re-buy and secure his last bottle for future use. Top notch!!

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9 comments

@Glenmax
Glenmax commented

Note: Good idea to edit before submission. I do not like spelling words wrong.

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

The Talisker 18 year old should be on the try before you die list. Definitely worth every penny.

14 years ago 0

@CaptainO
CaptainO commented

@Glenmax, well said. This is a most excellent expression of Talisker, and it is climbing up my personal favorites list as well.

Aside: This is the only reason I'm upset about the reclassification of Talisker as an Islay. People who expect Talisker to be an Islay may choose not to try it, and that may be a mistake. Talisker is not truly an Islay, either in the sense of its location, its heritage, or its contents (flavor, expression, choose your term).

Noted: I know almost nothing about the reclassification I mentioned, and possibly less about whisky as a whole. I just find it interesting that a Talisker-loving whisky aficionado originally avoided it because of the purported Islay connection. I'm a pure newb, in all senses of the word.

14 years ago 0

@Glenmax
Glenmax commented

Thank you for the vote of confidence CaptainO....However I am extremely new to single malts. An Aficionado I am not (maybe one day). I did however secure my vendors last bottle of Talisker 18. I will be spoiled for awhile. I have learned that Talisker is labeled better as an Isle of Skye whisky rather than an Islay. I am still learning (and any new information is very welcome). Cheers!

14 years ago 0

@Hawaii654
Hawaii654 commented

Hush.....Don't let everyone know about this best kept secret. I live in Hawaii, and it comes here every few months in ultra small quantities. $ for $ there is no better 18 year old scotch on the market, we are out until June again as I have to ration my bottle to last the next 3 months....Aloha and good sipping.

14 years ago 0

S
Silas commented

I found out today that my little Italian grocery store had 6 bottles of Talisker 18 at $65 a bottle. I rushed to the store, about to buy 2, but saw the Distillers Edition right next to it at $74. So I bought one of each. I may go back next week and get one more 18. Magnificent day!!

14 years ago 0

@AboutChoice
AboutChoice commented

Maybe someone more knowledgeable knows whether Tal 18 is done gone or just between bottlings ? @Silas, you are very lucky to find this at a small store in your area ... and at a fair price. It is indeed quite difficult to find now. Let us know how you like the distillers edition.

14 years ago 0

@Glenmax
Glenmax commented

I would like to hear about the distillers edition as well. I found the 18 at the back of a small vendor for 62$ U.S. and bought them out. The proprietor commented that he had them awhile and his typical customer base avoids high price items so I was lucky also.

14 years ago 0

S
Silas commented

I am presently really enjoying the Talisker 18. Wonderful!! Haven't opened the Distiller's bottle yet...maybe in a week or so. With all the comments about rarity, I may have to go back tomorrow and get what I think is the remaining bottle. I enjoyed drinking the Talisker 10 and 18 side by side. The 10 was a little "brutish" and the 18 more "mellow.' I like both! But, if the 10 is about $61 and the 18, $65, I can't see buying the 10 now (maybe later) My question is why the higher $74 for the Distillers Version? Is it rare too?

14 years ago 0