Talisker 57° North

57°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2008

Peated around 22 ppm

This expression, more or less graded 100° proof, in an old-fashioned way, is not cask strength, contrary to what many people believe. It is becoming hard to find, replaced by limited editions which are cask strength.

Let' Taste It : 

Sea spray and iodine. It whips your face. Austere and mineral peat. Coarse salt. I'm at the top of a cliff. Below, a black and tormented sea. Waves crash on the breakers, foam splashes. In the background, heather, a hint of vanilla. A few spices. With the addition of water, it softens and balances. A hint of aniseed. On the palate, it's a bit alcohol-laden and metallic. The herbs rise up and invade the palate, followed by a good finish combining pepper, iodine freshness, vanilla, parsley and a slight bitterness. The perfect whisky for the dead of winter, when it's dark at 5.40 pm and sleet is cracking against the window outside.

In Short, 

It's good, but I'm a bit disappointed. It lacks a little something, character no doubt, and even a little flavour. It's perhaps a bit young on the palate. In terms of value for money, it just doesn't cut it.

Score : 86

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Metallica - The Call of Ktulu