Talisker 1999 Friends of The Classic Malts 10 yo

 

 

 

59,3°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 1999

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

Founded in 1997, Friends of The Classic Malts was a group of enthusiasts in partnership with Diageo who were offered a number of exclusive bottlings from the various distilleries featured in The Classic Malts of Scotland. This one is a fine example of that, just 10 years’ maturation in American oak casks, allowing the spirit’s character to shine through. 7,000 bottles were released at the time. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The coastal character comes to the fore, the tide, seaweed, the sea air. But above all, it is mineral, limestone, granite, slate. Cathedrals of salt. Then a hint of fruit creeps in, juicy pears, peaches that aren’t quite ripe. A medicinal note, a light zest of citrus. On the palate, it’s somewhat greasy, seafood, shellfish, oysters, but also lychees, dragon fruit. Woodiness emerges, young, untreated wood, spices very much present. A very long, beautifully crafted finish, though not overly powerful, sea foam, breadsticks, a pinch of pepper, sea urchins, silica.

 

In Short, 

An old-school whisky that showcases the full character of this magnificent distillery, it’s incredible just how coastal it is. Don’t expect anything particularly subtle or original here, it’s simply pure, concentrated Talisker. And that’s perfect. It’s very well made too, everything is just right, there really is nothing to complain about. Apparently, it’s fairly easy to find at auction, I’ll have to have a look.  

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                    Benjamin Clementine - Can't Always Be The Winner, Argentina

Talisker 1978 The Bodega Series 41 yo

 

 

 

50,7°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Refill American Oak Bourbon Casks and Manzanilla Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

The distillery launched this short series, The Bodega Series, in 2018 with a 40-year-old expression. The following year saw the release of this one, a 41-year-old expression from the same vintage. The first had been finished in Amontillado sherry casks, this one was finished in six Manzanilla sherry casks from the Solera La Goya, which belongs to the Delgado Zuleta group, the oldest known sherry producer. This resulted in a limited edition of 2,000 bottles and the oldest Talisker at the time—a record that was broken the very next year with two 42-year-old bottlings. The record now stands at 47 years. The series was supposed to conclude in 2020 with a third bottling, but it never materialized. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is like an eruption of the elements that define Talisker’s profile, coastal notes, iodine, and sea salt, apple crumble seasoned with cinnamon, fatty, autumnal peat, and already crisp fallen leaves. Then a hint of syrupy sherry makes its way through, and balance sets in, candied exotic fruits, mango peel, papaya, dried currants and bananas, chocolate fondant, stuffed vine leaves. On the palate, it’s perfectly oily, mirabelle plums and lychees, peaches and pears, but also oysters and a few bushes. The spices are very subtle but definitely present. The finish is very long, not particularly powerful, actually, figs, chocolate, coffee and a slice of pineapple. Lightly grilled sardine fillets, charcoal powder, aged macerated leather, flambéed bananas, and of course that final pinch of salt, with a peppery note that’s barely perceptible.  

 

In Short, 

To be honest, I didn't taste it under the best conditions. But it seems to me that I've tasted better Talisker whiskies, like this one, where there wasn't any sherry influence. It's an absolutely memorable and superbly crafted Talisker, but for me, it's missing just a tiny bit to live up to expectations. Again, this remains to be confirmed. The price is, of course, astronomical, no need to dwell on that. 

Score : 91 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            This Will Destroy You - The World is Our___

Talisker The Wild Blue 2025 Edition

 

 

 

48,2°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

South African Atlantic Coast Red Wine Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

Two years earlier, the distillery had launched Wilder Seas, a bottling in aid of the NGO Parley. I’m talking about it here. Apparently, it went down a treat, because these good people did it again and launched this one last year, in aid of another charity, the Blue Marine Foundation, whose mission is to clean up the oceans. For every bottle sold, £3 will be donated to the charity. And as there are 37,536 bottles, that makes £112,608 that they have pledged to donate – a tidy sum. What’s more, the glass used is 100% recycled, and there is no box to limit the carbon footprint. As Wilder Seas was finished in Cognac, a special finish had to be found for this one too, and that turned out to be South African red wine from the Atlantic coast. The finish lasted exactly 16 months. I haven’t been able to find any information at all about the initial maturation, but I assume it was simply in Bourbon casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Sticky fruit, juicy quinces and apricots, grenadine, balanced by the influence of a few bourbon casks, wood steeped in citrus, kumquat, green tomatoes, tannins. Dusty peat, grains of charcoal, basalt, discreet coastal notes. Intense iodine, unrefined salt. On the palate, golden honey, banana, mirabelle plums, buttery vanilla, pronounced spices, cumin, nutmeg. A subtle layer of peat, dates, raisins. A slight bitterness on the finish, green asparagus, olives, cola, hints of charcoal, varnished bark, hazelnuts, cauliflower, a touch of cereal.

 

In Short, 

It’s a high-quality bottling, though the influence of the red wine isn’t entirely positive. I found that it masked the Talisker profile somewhat, particularly its coastal character. In my opinion, a white wine finish might have been a better idea. But perhaps that’s what they’ll do with the next edition. As for the price, I think it’s perfectly reasonable. 

In Short : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Flea featuring Nick Cave - Wichita Lineman

Talisker Surge

 

 

 

45,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

1st Fill American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Travel Retail Edition

Single Malt 

Launched in 2022

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 22 ppm 

 

 

 

This is the distillery's new expression, designed for travel retail but available almost everywhere. It replaces Dark Storm, which has apparently disappeared. There is some encouraging news about this one: it is aged exclusively in first-fill Bourbon barrels and is non-chill filtered. However, it is coloured, but this does not affect the taste. All of which makes it very interesting. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Earthy peat, animal sweat, wet dog, subtle coastal notes, pearls of iodine, sea breeze, seaweed, kelp, limestone. Candied apricots, treacle, varnished wood, caramel and milk chocolate, drops of fir tree honey. On the palate, powerful caramel, quince jam, it's slightly watery, dried banana, vanilla, lychee, and the distillery's typical peppery note. Fairly long and powerful finish, charcoal, liquorice, smoked wood, hazelnuts, Carambar, mint sweets, cola. Foam, sea spray. 

In Short,  

As is often the case with this type of bottling, it is a blend of very young and older whiskies, which means that the whisky oscillates between all the flaws of immaturity and a few more pleasant notes. Overall, it is not bad without being particularly interesting, except for the finish, which is powerful and quite long. I wouldn't recommend buying it, as it's more expensive than the 10-year-old, which I think is better. But if you're longing for Talisker and this is the only one you have to hand, it'll do.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           deary - Seabird

Talisker 14 yo Special Release 2025 Molten Seas

 

 

 

53,9°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Bourbon Casks and Toasted American Oak Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

As it does every year, Talisker is launching a new batch as part of Diageo Special Releases, and this time, the age is quite high. This gives us hope for a high-quality product, like the 2019 batch, which was truly wonderful (I talk about it here). An intriguing detail: the finishing process took place in new American oak casks toasted by the heat of volcanic rocks from the Isle of Skye. I have no idea how this affects the taste, but it's an original concept. The marketing managers at Diageo have been hard at work again. But I have an idea, even though I'm no marketing expert: why not just make a good whisky, simply and well?

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Initially quite sweet and creamy on the nose, melted butter, egg custard. Then the coastal character gradually reveals itself. Candied lime, iodine and sea spray, high cliffs overlooking a rough sea. Pastry cream, pineapple. Burnt wood, slightly bitter, peach pit, bamboo bark. Waxy peat, liquid honey, floral notes, candied banana, quartz and limestone chips. On the palate, it is even more woody, with rose water, evanescent vanilla, coconut and malted cereals. Discreet spices, cumin, black pepper. Fairly long finish, not quite explosive, black radish, toasted wheat, a pinch of salt, straw, lychee juice.

 

In Short, 

Overall, it's good, especially the nose and finish, but there's a hesitation between a sweet, honeyed profile and burnt wood. The coastal character is present but a tad in the background. I wonder if the finish hasn't ruined the whisky slightly by hiding the nuances and subtleties brought about by 14 years in good quality Bourbon casks. Ultimately, it's still good, even very good, but I feel it could have been better. I'd need to taste it again to be sure. In any case, what is certain is that the price is too high for what it is, and I would not recommend buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Moon Idle - Godzilla

Talisker 2011 Old Particular 14 yo

 

 

 

54,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

Independent bottlings of Talisker are rare, which is why this one deserves attention, especially since it is aged 14 years to the day (it was bottled on the anniversary of its distillation), matured in a Refill Hogshead that will bring out the best in the distillate, and only 227 bottles exist. It has been included in the Itinéraires collection designed by La Maison du Whisky on the occasion of Whisky Live Paris 2025.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fresh and coastal nose, lemony and mineral, with oysters, whelks, a good dose of iodine and sea spray, seaweed, rough smoke, spongy peat, slate and quartz shards. Coarse sea salt. Behind that, creamy vanilla, apples and pears, perhaps even lychee and almonds. It's fine and chiseled on the palate, liquorice and salicornia, light citrus, grapefruit, a dash of English custard, still vanilla, a little milky, spices full of character, black pepper, cloves, cumin. Chalky, salty finish with a hint of cereal, limestone and scallops, olive oil, a zest of lemon.

 

In Short, 

So typical. It's Talisker through and through, nothing more, nothing less. Absolutely nothing exceptional, but with a distinctive identity, a unique character, deeply marine and mineral, with a noticeable peatiness that is never overpowering. It's the dream bottling for all fans of the distillery, but nothing remarkable for those who are not particularly fond of it. The only problem is the price, which is very high, but it must be said that independent Taliskers are so rare that it is entirely in line with the market.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Remina - Silence and the Silver Sea

Line Up #29 : Talisker, the Diageo Special Releases

14 December 2024. 

 

 

A bit of History : 

The Diageo Special Releases first appeared in 2001, and Talisker was part of the first batch, with the Port Ellen 1st Release. After that, there were 2 releases in 2002, one in 2003, as in 2004 and 2005, two more in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and only one in 2010. Then nothing in 2011, but they made up for it in 2012 with a 35-year old, one more in 2013, but then nothing. That makes 17 limited editions, all between 20 and 35 years old, and all historic. This is certainly the pinnacle of what Talisker can offer us. In 2018, however, Talisker is back among the Diageo Special Releases, but with much younger products. 8-year old in 2018, 15-year old in 2019, 8-year old in 2020 and 2021, 11-year old in 2022, and even a NAS in 2023. In 2024, it's an 8-year old again. So we're now on the 24th Talisker Release, and the next delivery will arrive next September with a 14-year old, which I hope will be good.

 

 

The Line Up Concept : 

I've only tasted a few editions of the Diageo Special Releases old series, but they are absolutely epic. As for the new series, what is it worth? What's the point of featuring Talisker again in these Releases? In my previous Talisker Line Up, I more or less came to the conclusion that only the Diageo Special Releases were really worth looking at. The 10yo from the regular range has some definite faults, the 18yo is very good but far too expensive, independent bottlings are very rare, and the value for money is rather depressing. The 25yo is astronomically expensive, even though there's nothing exceptional about it in my opinion. And I'm not talking about the multiple NAS, Storm, Skye, Dark Storm, Select, none of which I'm happy with. I tasted the Wilder Seas and thought it was pretty good, but it's hard to find. This confirms that only Diageo Special Releases combine satisfactory quality, fairly wide distribution and a nearly reasonable price.

 

 

But not all Diageo Special Releases are created equal. Some are much better than others. That's the aim of this tasting, to separate the wheat from the chaff, and to recommend the good stuff. Perhaps we can also see a certain continuity in these Releases, some common markers.

 

 

Some bottlings have little nicknames, like The Rogue Seafury or The Beast from the Deep. I'll spare you these details, but I think you'll be grateful.

 

 

The Tasting : 

Talisker 11yo Special Release 2022 : This is the quietest of the Diageo Special Releases. It combines a relatively low alcohol content with the lowest possible peat content. This brings out the best in the rest.

Very maritime profile, seaweed, kelp, the sweetness of Bourbon in the background, then it becomes salty, coarse sea salt, foam, sea spray. Light, crystalline peat. On the palate, the Bourbon takes over again, with honey and vanilla, beautiful spices, cloves, cumin, white fruit. Quite a long, powerful finish, salt, charcoal, limestone. Score : 88

 

 

Talisker 15 yo Special Release 2019 : This is the oldest of the new series, and also the best. The maturation is relatively simple, which brings out the best in the distillate.

The nose is complex, floral, maritime and fruity. The distillery profile is perfectly recognisable, salt, sea spray, seaweed, kelp, but with an unusual depth. Melting caramel, almonds, honey. Prickly pears. On the palate, it's suave, superbly balanced, limestone and creamy vanilla, lychee. Very powerful finish, dragon fruit, a touch of wax, cola, nutmeg. Score: 90

 

 

Talisker 8yo Special Release 2020 : This one was finished in rum casks, which is rather worrying. How does the costal distillate go with rum?

The influence of rum is important, cane sugar, agave, vanilla, papaya, lychee. A hint of smoke, mirabelle plums. Herbaceous notes, reeds. Very smooth on the palate, with spices galore. Candle wax, lychee. Long, powerful finish, a block of charcoal, banana, fine sand. Score : 88

 

 

Talisker 8yo Special Release 2024 : For this one, the maturation is normal, in Bourbon casks, but there's a finish in Stone-Spun Casks that seems odd to me. What's this thing about pebbles?

Lots of salt and tide, some mineral touches, sea breeze, kelp, even some fish. White fruit and vanilla in the background. On the palate, it's the same, foamy, coarse sea salt, a little custard, intense spices, pepper, cumin. Long and powerful finish, still very salty, lychee, foam, cola. Score: 89

 

 

Talisker 1982 Special Release 2003 20yo : This one is from the old series. Let's not get carried away, it's the last sample I have left. And given the way stocks are disappearing, I have no idea when I'll have any left in my glass.

Various fruit compotes, brioche bread, soft caramel, iodine, sea air, chalky touches. Almond paste, old leather. Silky, maritime palate, with fruit in the background. The peppery note is still there. Deep salt, which breaks down into several slices on the finish, which is very long, fiery, caramelised, nougatine, macadamia nuts. Clove. Score: 91

 

 

Talisker Special Release 2023 : No age, and on top of that a finish in different types of Port that is highly suspect. I dip my lips in anyway, cautiously.

On the nose, white peaches, lychee, small Swiss cheeses full of sugar. The tide is there in the background. Quite creamy, rather pleasant. Quite good on the palate, a little too sweet for my taste though, cane sugar, reeds, banana. Long and powerful finish, white grapes, sugar paste. Score: 88

 

 

Talisker 8yo Special Release 2021 : This is a highly peaty Talisker, without doubt the most peaty Talisker there is, with very discreet maturation in Bourbon casks.

The peat is imposing, maritime, set against a beguiling smoke. The tide is there, the foam, the sea spray. Iodine. On the palate, maritime freshness, lychees, juicy pears, intense spices. Violent, powerful finish, full of limestone and quartz. Coal, rocks lashed by the waves. Reeds. Score: 89

 

 

What I gain from it : 

• There are, of course, the well-known Talisker hallmarks: fairly pronounced costal nuances, a few mineral touches, not too strong peat, but also smooth, sometimes exotic fruits, which give a great richness of flavour. It's worth remembering that this is an excellent distillery.

 

• These are very reliable bottlings, and the quality is there. I'd recommend the 2019 above all, which you can still find at auction, but also the 2021, the 2022 and the 2024. That said, despite the rum or port finish, it must be said, it's never bad.
   

  

• There is a gulf between the old series, which lasted from 2001 to 2013, and the new one, which began in 2018. From the age of 20 onwards, Talisker's distillate is extremely rich, deep, full of various fruits, dried fruit, exotic fruit, a real festival. Every Talisker enthusiast should try it at least once.
   

 

• I missed the 2018, but I tasted it a few years ago. From memory, it seemed good, but a little too influenced by Bourbon casks.

Conclusion : 

Yes, Talisker is best represented by Diageo Special Releases. And even if those in the new series may be disappointing compared to those in the old series, they're still the best on the Isle of Skye (sorry Torabhaig, but you're too young yet). That said, despite the quality, there are still a few obstacles to avoid. Firstly, the price isn't cheap for an 8-year-old. But you can make an effort. Then there's the question of avoiding outlandish experiments, and on that subject I've read that the casks for the next edition, due out in September, have been toasted with volcanic rock. Are you serious? These people really have a problem with pebbles. And why not rocks from the Moon while we're at it? In short, it really is time for Diageo to stop doing this. Talisker is never better enhanced than with Bourbon casks. This distillate needs casks that aren't too invasive to bring out its authenticity, the costal and mineral nuances, the yellow and exotic fruits. This is true of many distilleries, but particularly of this one.

I'm not saying that these odd experiments are a failure, you always have to be creative in the whisky world, and to be honest, I gave high ratings to the editions finished in rum or port casks, because they deserved it. But I prefer the pure Talisker profile, when it's not hampered by any original cask. In that regard, I'm not too keen on Port Ruighe either. That's why I found the Special Release 2024 so interesting. It's a return to the roots, to more traditional maturation, which suits me. Why don't they always do it this way? As with Lagavulin, very simple ageing in Bourbon casks, very fine differences over the years, and always the Talisker identity that stands out. The distillate is excellent, it doesn't need to be masqueraded with Port or Rum. A little Sherry might do it some good, but not too much. The Special Release 2021 is interesting because it doesn't dull the character of the distillate. The same goes for the 2024. Has anyone found that the pebbles change the taste in any way? If not, so much the better. Marketing is always looking for something new, but that's not necessarily a good idea. What you need is stability. True whisky lovers need to know what they're going to find. They need to know that they'll get a real bottle of Talisker every year. When the customer knows what he's going to find, that's when he's sure to buy.

 

Talisker 8 yo Special Release 2024 Tidal Churn

 

 

 

58,7°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

American Oak Refill and Ex-Bourbon Casks, Stone-spun and Re-toasted Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm 

The Talisker Special Release 2024 is here, and it's aged, which reassures us a little. The 2023 release was not. So we're back to familiar elements: 8 years of ageing, which we've already seen several times, even if it's not much, and maturation in Bourbon casks. But as they like to experiment with originality at Diageo, this one was finished in stone-spun and lightly re-toasted casks. Why do they always have to try something special? Doesn't the Talisker distillate stand on its own? At least it's Cask Strength and unchillfiltered, that's the most important.

Let's Taste It : 

We rediscover the Talisker profile, salt and tide, a dash of vanilla, sea spray and a hint of limestone. It's very simple, after all. Here the iodine is a little stronger than usual and you can figure out a few pebbles on the beach. A pinch of icing sugar. On the palate, salted butter caramel, vanilla and white fruits, a thin layer of salted peat. Spices galore, pepper, nutmeg, cumin. A fine, fairly long, charcoal finish, foam, oily salt, cola, liquorice, damp wood.

 

In Short, 

The stone-spun Casks finish isn't really noticeable, or perhaps the minerality is a little stronger? In any case, it's a pleasure to experience the Talisker profile in all its authenticity. What's more, the price here is relatively reasonable, so I'd recommend buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker

Talisker Special Release 2023 The Wild Explorador

 

 

 

59,7°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands 

1sr Fill Bourbon Barrels and White, Tawny, Ruby Port Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm 

In a break with tradition, the 2023 Talisker Special Release is not aged. Since 2001, Diageo has released around 28 Talisker Special Releases, and they were all aged, first from 20 to 30 years, then, from 2018, from 8 to 15 years. And this year, no age. Suffice to say, it was a disappointment for all Talisker fans. What's more, finishing in port casks risked distorting the distillery's profile. As a result, sales did not live up to expectations. But I still wanted to make my own opinion, so I took a sample. Unfortunately, there was no indication of how many bottles had been produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The suavity of port, enhanced by a charcoal and enticing smoke. Red grapes, damsons, melting chocolate. Fresh figs. Smoked ham. Pomegranate seeds. Heather earth. Perhaps a touch of iodine and a hint of the sea. Silky on the palate, full of coffee, pepper and cumin, dark chocolate. Peat in the background. Long and powerful finish, damp bark, more chocolate and spices, shoe polish, nutmeg, earthy undertones, vegetal notes, forest undergrowth.

 

In Short, 

To be honest, it's very good, and above all very well done. The port blends very well with the peat, which seems to be more prominent than usual. It's very fruity, and deep at the same time. On the other hand, there are very few of the distillery's typical character traits, and it lacks a little complexity. As for the price, it's far too high for a product like this, and I wouldn't recommend buying it, except in 20cl bottles, if it's still available. But if you get the chance to taste it, don't hesitate.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Lacrimosa - Nach dem Sturm

Line Up #25 : Another slice of Talisker

5 January 2024. 

The Line Up Concept : 

The last time I went to discover this distillery with a Line Up was three years ago. Since then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. Several limited editions have been released, and I wonder if that doesn't give the distillery a slightly different face. How has it evolved over the last three years? Is it still as costal as ever? Are the gentlemen at Diageo treating it well? Is the quality still there? The marketing department has been on a tear over the last three years, and this represents a substantial budget, sometimes to the detriment of the quality of the bottles. Let's see if that's the case here.

The Tasting : 

Talisker Dark Storm : This bottling was launched more than ten years ago in the Travel Retail Edition, but is now available just about everywhere. The casks have been particularly charred.
The nose is salty and smoky, not very expressive in truth. Tides, seaweed, kelp, foam. On the palate, it's also very maritime, like seawater, but good. With a touch of sweetness and vanilla. The finish is long and quite pleasant, woody and oily. Score : 84

Talisker 10 yo : Now 44 years old, this edition is an absolute classic in the world of whisky. Of course, the quality has evolved over the years.
The nose is much better. Same profile, but more expressive and sweeter. The tide, salt and seaweed are still there, but this time it's welcoming and pleasant. The palate is also softer, with vanilla, but it's still very fishy. The finish is peppery, but a little short. Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

Talisker Wilder Seas : Last year, the distillery teamed up with the NGO Parley to bring out this limited edition, the profits from which will be used to clean up the oceans. A fine project, and an effective marketing plan.
The nose is more candied, fruitier, with plums and quinces, but still very costal. The palate is still a little light, but apricot-flavoured, with spices. Warm bread just out of the oven. The finish is long, sweet and powerful, with sugar cane, candied fruit and rhubarb. Score : 86

 

 

 

 

Talisker 2011 The Distillers Edition : In 2022, the Distillers Edition lost their vintage and became ageless. A grave heresy. I rushed out to buy what will be the last vintage edition of Talisker's Distillers Edition. Is it better than the previous one I had?
The nose is deep and unified, full of coffee and chocolate, with barely a hint of the distillery's hallmarks. Syrupy palate, marked by apricot and dried banana, very spicy after a while. The finish is long, powerful and earthy, with coffee, red fruit and caramel.. Score : 87

 

 

 

 

Talisker 18 yo : In recent years, the price of this bottle has more than doubled. Even so, it's very hard to find. That's a real shame, because this is a very fine expression.
The nose is delicious, combining creamy vanilla, lemon tart and very fine salty fragrances, all in perfect balance. Ginger, cardamom, light, bewitching smoke. Fresh iodine. Still maritime on the palate, but with some exotic fruits. Long, beautiful finish, with just the right amount of power. Genoise and spices, almond paste. Score : 88

 

 

 

 

Talisker 11 yo Special Release 2022 : The penultimate Diageo Special Release, it is presented as particularly sweet, made from barley with a low peat content. But it's still Talisker. The subtitle is The Curious Creature of the Depth.
Here again, we sense the tide, but softened, as if sanded, with honey and vanilla. Saline hints, seaweed and kelp, but nothing aggressive. The palate is dominated by honey, with just a hint of maritime flavours, fine spices and a powerful, long, lemony finish. Genoise. Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

Talisker 15 yo Special Release 2019 : This is a very famous edition, as it is the oldest Diageo Special Release in years. It is also the best.
This time, the nose is perfect. Ice pellets, vanilla, iodine, everything blends together in perfect balance. Icing sugar, light smoke, lemon zest. Tide, lychee, salt streaks. On the palate, honeyed wonder, syrupy rosewater, vanilla and lemon, young apples. Mastered spices. Very long, explosive finish that makes you see stars. Egg yolk spread on warm croissants. Sugar beads. Score : 90

 

 

 

 

Talisker 1982 Special Release 2003 : A bottling from over 20 years ago, when Diageo Special Releases were great things.
It's soft, ethereal, aerial. Strong iodine, salty tide, but also melted butter, lychee. Pastry egg yolk. Breadcrumbs, brioche. Sweet vanilla. Lemon fillet. Tarte Tatin. Warm apples. Silky mouthfeel, icing sugar, macaroons, but also powerful spices. Warm bread. Sublime finish, very long, vaporous smoke, bubbles of lemon juice, almond paste, white chocolate. Score : 91 

Talisker 57° North : This one was discontinued around 2018, to make more room for Diageo Special Releases. It has never had a very good reputation.
The nose is rather austere, not very expressive, fairly strong smoke, maritime hints in the background. Fresh iodine. A few white fruits. A bit light on the palate, but good, almonds and brioche, then rather strong spices. Violent finish, but short, charcoal, pencil lead. Score : 86 

Talisker 8 yo Special Release 2021 : This one has the particularity of having been matured in heavily peated casks. It is subtitled The Rogue Seafory.
Quite present, and pleasant peat. Vanilla hints. Gradually the tide rises and becomes more present. On the palate, seawater, tons of kelp and seaweed, then spices. The finish is bitter, long, charred, salty and peppery. Chestnut purée and foam. Score : 89

 

 

 

 

What I gain from it : 

• In three years, the distillery's line hasn't changed much, and it's as good as ever. The distillate is more and more assertive, costal, salty, marked by the tide, kelp and seaweed. This is definitely a very maritime whisky, which was less obvious just a few years ago, when the casks were allowed to diminish the qualities of the distillate.
  

 

 

• So the break came not three years ago, but about a decade ago. At that point, the distillery really started to run out of quality casks, and the Diageo Special Releases became much less interesting. In 2013, a magnificent 27-year-old was released, which I've already mentioned here. Then, nothing at all until 2018, when an 8-year-old came out, which I'm talking about there. It goes from something purely marvellous to a very good whisky, but nothing more. And since then, we haven't had anything better than a 15 year old.

 

 

• A further step was taken in 2022, when the Distillers Edition lost its vintage. Now it's a non-age that I barely dare to taste. In the meantime, the 18-year-old has become unaffordable, and now the limited editions on offer are ageless, and of very relative quality, like the Wilder Seas. It's certainly not bad, but there's absolutely nothing exceptional about it.     
   

 

 

 

Conclusion : 

It's all a bit disappointing, Talisker is still an excellent distillery, but it's not at its best. Perhaps in the next 5 years or so, when we can take advantage of the casks that were filled around 2015, we'll see some high-quality bottlings again. But in the meantime, we'll have to make do with the Special Releases, the only affordable expressions that are still very good. Too few casks were filled before 2015, and most of them were quickly sold out in the face of soaring demand.

Other distilleries have the same problem, but with these you can rely on independent bottlings, which are sometimes expensive, but which offer some magnificent opportunities. With Talisker, it's nothing like that, the independent bottlings are very rare, rather young, and at a price that doesn't correspond at all to the quality of the juice. 

 

 

 

Be that as it may, the picture is not all bleak. Even if we no longer have masterpieces, we still have nice things with Special Releases, so there's enough to keep an honest man happy, and for those who can't wait, there's always the possibility of squandering your savings on a pre-2014 expression, which will cost you the earth, but which you'll remember for the rest of your life.

 

 

 

Talisker 1982 Natural Cask Strength 2003 20 yo

 

 

 

58,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

2d Fill Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2003

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

A little piece of history with this Talisker, distilled in 1982 and bottled in 2003. Part of the 3rd batch of Diageo Special Releases, it is 20 years old, as was the previous batch, from 2002, which was also 20 years old. The other batches, in 2001 and then from 2004 to 2009, are all 25 Years Old, to which we must add the five 30 Years Old released between 2006 and 2010. After that, there's a 35-year-old from 2012, and a 27-year-old in 2013, then nothing more until 2018, when younger bottlings will be on offer, 8-year-olds, 11-year-olds, 15-year-olds in 2019, and even a NAS this year. That makes a total of 16 bottlings aged between 20 and 35 years launched between 2001 and 2013 as part of Diageo Special Releases, and all of them are sublime. This one is no exception, aged in Refill casks to allow the distillate to express itself fully, produced in 12,000 copies. Those were the glory days of Talisker. However, the Whisky Exchange website states that it is coloured, which would not be surprising for the era. But don't worry, this has no influence on the taste.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Airy iodine, enhanced by sleet and coarse sea salt. Woody vanilla, cinnamon leaf, almond paste. Sharpening leather, ointment. Foie gras fat. A zest of lemon. Smoke shade. Medicinal touch. Warm on the palate, lychees and other exotic fruits, rosewater, it's syrupy, but very quickly the spices take over, a touch of lemon, nutmeg, cumin, pepper. Very fine balance after a while. The finish is very long, unusually powerful, but controlled, taking you far away: hazelnuts, biscuits, notes of exotic fruits, banana, passion fruit, breadcrumbs. Cotton.

 

In Short, 

What more is there to say? This is the kind of whisky that speaks for itself. You savour it in silence, in pious contemplation. If you have the means and the opportunity to get your hands on such a treasure, don't hesitate for a second. I'd advise you to look for it on auction sites, because on online sales sites, the price is completely insane.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Palace - Heaven Up There