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Talisker 18 Year Old

Softly Understated Elegance

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@MaltActivistReview by @MaltActivist

13th Oct 2013

0

Talisker 18 Year Old
  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    22
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    91

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Ah, yes! Finally some real flavors to sink my teeth into. I had been holding off this classic for a while choosing, instead, to sample some of their newer expressions like the Storm & Port Ruighe, before turning my attention to this gem. While the new expressions from the Skye distillery are doing it no good it's the classics like this 18 year old that keep the faith alive.

The nose is truly a work of art. First the classic peaty smoke but so distinctly understated. Confident in it's maturity. The salty pineapple citrus is next coupled with a refined lemon-lime toffee tartness. And finally a whiff of fresh cucumber sprinkled with the loveliest of white pepper. Oh, yes. This is what I had been waiting for!

The creamy mouthfeel is laced with intense black peppers but then mellows out to give you honey, lemon and chocolate with a dash of tobacco.

The long peppery finish is fruity with a hint of limestone.

These are the classic flavors that made Talisker one of my top distilleries and this expression should be on your list of malts to try before you die.

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11 comments

@Victor
Victor commented

@tabarakRazvi, yes, Talisker 18 is damned good stuff. One thing I find very interesting with it, though, is that most, but not all, experienced malt drinkers who are not peat-averse like it very much, but almost never do newby whisky drinkers to whom I introduce it like it at all. It is downright shocking to me when I see whisky newby person after person dislike Talisker 18, when I enjoy it so much.

11 years ago 0

Rigmorole commented

Ah yes, one of my favorites . . . wish I had bought two bottles instead of one. Got mine for $80 in Phoenix AZ. Now the price has nearly doubled most places.

11 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@Victor I think the initial burst of intense pepper found in most Taliskers may be a put off for the newbie. I my self tried my first Islay (Ardbeg 10) well into my whisky journey and remember thinking it was a bit tough to get down.

But I think every whisky fan will succumb to curiosity and persistence to find out what the Islay fuss is all about!

11 years ago 0

@Pierre_W
Pierre_W commented

The 18yo old is my favourite in the Talisker core range. The more I have it, the more I actually get to enjoy it - this is one that just gets better and better. Many thanks for a splendid review that very well captures the essence of this multifaceted single malt!

11 years ago 0

@sengjc
sengjc commented

From the Storm that I tried, I agree with the sentiment that the new Talisker expressions are a little off the mark.

Glad to hear the core range is still up to scratch.

11 years ago 0

@RicketyCricket
RicketyCricket commented

Is better also in comparison with the 25yo? If someone has tried both the bottles please let me know.

11 years ago 0

@Jules
Jules commented

How peaty is it? Less so than the 10YO I assume.

I'll have to move this up to the front of my wish-list, not easy to find here in Belgium though.

A friend recommended I try this one as I'm a big fan of the HP18, this would suit my tastes according to him (& others)...

11 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@Jules It certainly seems a tad less peaty than the 10 year old, though, I don't know if that's technically true. But what I know is that it presents the peat in far more elegant manner than the 10 year old.

The 10 has a bit of a wild side and is unbridled in it's delivery. The 18 on the other hand is magnificent in it's constraint.

Not sure if it's like the HP18 - which is quite a sherried and sweet whisky - whereas as the Talisker carries a sea-air quality to it.

I think you will like it regardless of your penchant for the HP18

11 years ago 0

broadwayblue commented

Got my T18 in the mail. Really looking forward to enjoying this in the near future.

10 years ago 0

@triumphrider74
triumphrider74 commented

Great review. I'm added this one to my wish list.

9 years ago 0

@sorren
sorren commented

In my opinion the 25 is better, the peat is far more subtle, but this is good.. As for the 10yo.. No thanks, not a fan.

8 years ago 0