Talisker 57º North

You know the non-chill filtered warnings - 'this whisky may develop cloudiness with the addition of water'. That's somewhat of an understatement with this as it becomes virtually opaque. It ends up looking like proper Devon and Somerset Cider.

Anyway I added water straight away to this - 57% is too much to try neat, (but that's just me). First thing I've noticed is how much this clings to the glass. Tiny beads are scattered all round the side and don't look to be forming legs at all.

On the nose I first get toffee apples with an underlying peat. In fact I can taste the peat at the back of my throat now before even sipping any of it. A hint of smoky bacon too. Then a slightly coarser peppery edge.

I get a sweet-smoky palate initially, followed by an oily mouthfeel with a good level of brininess. Kippers too. This then descends into a peppery and pleasantly bitter finish.

Talisker 57° pulls no punches. It lets you know you're drinking a damn fine malt. It's certainly not subtle, but it is very good and a few notches above the 10, (with a price to match). If you want a subtler Talisker, try the 18, (been a few years I tried that one however).

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