Tastes

N: coffee, Christmas cake, rich dark chocolate, toasty P: jammy, raisins and bakery spice, a little water stretches this and delivers cherry. To say this is a rich is a little understated. F: long, warm ginger spice. More jamminess. Distiller whisky taste #12

N: soft, vanilla, white chocolate?, raisins, oily nuttiness. P: sweet full bodied, fruit, smoke is soft and has no harsh edges. F: a little short, slightly oily, peppers and spice. Distiller whisky taste #11

N: fresh coconut, honey, light florals P: more florals, light honey, light toasted cereal? F: short, oak and a Little spice. Crisp and clean. Easy, uncomplicated sipper. Distiller whisky taste #10

N: rich dried fruit, brown sugar, toffee(?) P: dried fruit carries through to palate with gingery spice and leathery richness. full bodied with oak and creaminess of gentle vanilla. F: long, thick and oily drenched in the Christmas cake sherry notes, ginger, clove and cinnamon spice, cocoa and oaky creaminess. Walloping 62% ABV but with no bite or burn. Drinks like a 40% speyside. Absolutely packed with sherry flavours and oaky oily vanillin. Juicy and rounded it fills the mouth and induces salivation. Remarkable for the relatively low price for a 62% cask strength. Distiller whisky taste #9

N: smoke and brine, but not overpowering. Citrus, vanilla, spice. Big breath gives florals and herbaceous notes including mintyness . Barley notes and a touch of sweetness open with dash of water. P: the 50% isn’t noticeable as expected. Peppery and light orange oils. Wonderfully soft and full. Smoke wraps around the edges and puts a creaminess to the front that’s similar to a homemade custard. Brine skulks around. Some oiliness. Water brings salt and cereal forward somewhat along with a lovely delicate warmth and a different expression of the ashy peat smoke. F: long, delicate and developing over time. Oaky vanilla, soft smoke, malt. Fruitiness late on. Pepper and oiliness close it out. Absolutely magic. Distiller whisky taste #8

N: vanilla, tea, crisp white fruit P: butter shortbread, vanilla, oily-thickness F: white chocolate(?), hint of smoke, slight burn Probably not going to get another bottle. Nothing inherently wrong, but for around $70 there are better and more interesting bottles. That said, makes a pretty enjoyable highball. Distiller whisky taste #7

N: Vanilla, caramel, marzipan, zest and leathery notes. P: Caramel, char, peanut butter. Dark fruit and brown sugar. Strong pepper. F: Chocolate and sugar. Woody and bakery spices with long lingering pepper. Distiller whisky taste #5

N: crisp, lightest wafty smoke, something creamy or dairy like hiding in the back. Gentle crisp apple. Fresh herbaceous notes; basil? P: fruity orchard crispness. Herbaceous, bright, touch of soft smooth smoke and salt. Minty freshness. F: fresh, clean, and refreshing like a green tea. Fruitiness without being sweet. Smoke lingers on the end. An odd note to make, but vaguely reminiscent of a grassy savannah on a really hot day. There is a crisp grassiness that is felt in the palate and nose that reminds me of being out bush in 40 degrees C. Distiller whisky taste #4

N: gentle dry smoke, ocean spray, honey-fruit sweetness. P: Smoky bacon, salty brine, pepper and oily richness. Malt. Fruity crispness brings freshness. F: Long. Rich and dry, pepper and brine. Softness to the back end that’s warm and slightly sweet. Long after the flavours have dissipated wafts of smoke remain demanding to be refreshed. The nose on this liquid is immense. It is everything warming and wholesome that you would look for having been battered by the rugged coastline that is Skye. Smoke is the carrier of maritime spray and a juicy fruit balance. The palate is again, nothing but balanced but thick with cured and salted meats, peppery warmth and rich malty honey that brings the necessary sweetness. The smoke left a the back end of the finish demands you take another sip. Talisker for me, is the embodiment of the lighthouse keeper sitting out the storm watching the waves crash down around. Talisker 10 is iconic for a reason. The reason is undeniably excellence. Distiller whisky taste #3

N: Green apples! Peppery, and gentle honey-malt. P: Chocolate, sherried dried fruits, develops a gentle musty smokiness and little spiciness. F: Long finish as smokiness builds over soft malt. Distiller whisky taste #2