Talisker 1994 14 Y.O. Manager's Choice (bot. 2009)

sample from a friend

Nose: Chalky vanilla malt atop a gentle peat, really rather coastal on pebbles. Some of the lemon and freshly shaved ginger. Lightly acrid gasoline at the pump, cold pressed nut and olive oil. Gentle sweetness, almost residual. (with water) Ah, this'll do nicely, thank you very much. Far more going on here. More coastal, ash, sea spray, tarry, and gasoline. Less clearly lemon, but a more keen fruitiness in the back.

Palate: Thick and almost inscrutable at first beyond the initial turn to vanilla, smoke, wax, coastal pebbles, and just a spoonful of salt. Rather hot as well. Maybe a few drops of water will open it up. (with water) Yup, this is the stuff. Classic profile on lemon, pepper, salt, and all the right coastal notes with a hint of peat. Really fine stuff here. Trace walnut and macadamia oil.

Finish: Yes, more mellow to the vanilla and typical waxy malt and fruit. Some residual bitter walnut and pecan. This one needs water and does very well with it, so it's rather whisky-concentrate. Very good and classic style, so let's reward it, shall we?

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