Tastes

Nose: pecans, burnt wet leaf smoke, sawdust, overripe melon. Palate: cola, minty-menthol, cereal. Finish: fresh bitter burst, a little sweetish smoke, followed by a weirdly chemical sensation that coats the mouth and throat like that supermarket-brand cola aftertaste. Conclusion: this is a decently tasty blend, but really does not deliver on its promise of intense, rich smoke. The smoke that’s present is kind of watery and definitely lacks the punch of a fill-blooded Islay or Island scotch. The presence of (presumably young) grain whisky is also noticeable, every other sip betraying a little woody acetone. All said, it’s a solid blend but I’d say the regular JW Black is better balanced. At least it keeps my dad away from my Highland Park 12. Score: 74

Nose: bolder than the Skye, punching with brine, smoke (woody, not peaty), oak and lemon oil, liquorice. Heady. Palate: figgy, light peat smoke, sweet rich fruit cake, sea salt and black pepper. Finish: syrupy sweetness, ashy spice, bonfire, brine and pipe smoke. Conclusion: overall a far more satisfying scotch than the Skye. In comparison it has really ‘grown into’ the higher ABV. The 10 year is tasty, warming and well balanced, though if you’re used to the Islay peat monsters it may leave you a little unfulfilled. Score: 88

Nose: burnt oak, musty nutmeg or allspice in the back. Ethanol. Palate: some sweetness to the slight smoke. Baked apple and a little brine and pepper. Finish: medium short, teasing peat but mostly ashy oak, lingering saltiness. Conclusion: not one to blow your hair back. It has all the good Talisker hallmarks (smoke, salt, sweet) but they seem far too dialled back. Though it pulls its punches it’s still a pleasing sipper, albeit one that doesn’t draw attention to itself. Good on Talisker for keeping it >40% ABV. Score: 76

Nose: vanilla custard, fragrant musky wood like sandalwood, a little floral. I couldn’t discern any peat. Lighter and sweeter than I’ve come to expect from an island whisky. Palate: a lovely bit of flavour after the almost daintily sweet nose. Light but creamy body, malty, notes of cooking spice, black tea with lemon and honey. Finish: silky smooth, seeing the sweetness give way to the smoke I was promised. This is more pipe tobacco than peat smoke. Short but pleasing. Conclusion: I really like this whisky. In a word: satisfying. It’s not surprising that HP12 is recommended to those starting out in Scotch - it showcases a little bit of everything scotch whisky can offer, delivering sweetness, smokiness, fruitiness and even the barest hint of island brine, a varied palette that sets it above other recommended ‘beginner’ malts like The Glenlivet 12 or Glenfiddich 12. At its price point it’s an absolute steal, so although it’ll be a sorry day when I drain this bottle you can be sure I’ll be picking up another one soon after. Rating: 90