Tastes

quite simply didn't get it. tried it at a tasting. had none of the attractions of an irish whisky for me, with a short and abrupt profile and a thin feel. grain with no notes. sure - it was booze. even "in-style" - i don't get it.

i always think it is important to rank like against like. to my mind, there is little point in searching for tasting experiences in ballentine's finest. it is an introductory level blend, and it does this job very well. affordable and good in a mixed drink when you're not trying to be fancy as all get out. and i'm not dismissive of blends - some of my most wonderful whisky experiences have been had with masterful blends, both neat and mixed. but this is just a solid little operator; a good bottle to put at the front of your cabinet in case some guest with almost no whisky knowledge should arrive with a bottle of cola before you get there. it's not a degustation menu worth discussion - its a solid asian noodle house and i go there often.

floral and sweet. i don't like it. but that is more me, than statement. 10 year statement was the first scotch experience i got decades ago; and i rescued a 10 year from my father's cellar when he died (1961 vintage methinks). i don't particularly like glenmorangie or vintages. but this is okay for where it stands.

i came across this at a whisky live tasting a few years ago. i agree with the notes that describe the finish as short and thin, no doubt due to the younger spirits vatted and the relatively short time spent in each barrel. but i bought a bottle because i appreciated the approach. it is exactly as it presents itself - a young talisker finished in port casks. the signature talisker 10 is absolutely better. this offering would probably be better integrated if some more time was taken. but i like the way it demonstrates how a finishing cask can steer a signature expression and it's just a bit disappointing that it was released as an nas. the port wine notes are unmistakable and provide a really interesting hue on the standard briny, peaty, seaweed of talisker.

Robert Louis Stevenson allegedly described Talisker as "The king o' drinks, as I conceive it". I could not phrase it better. Talisker 10 remains my second most favourite and most affordable single malt. Between this and Lagavulin 16 - there is nothing else to question about righteous single malt scotch. Don't buy Talisker Skye; don't buy 57 North. Demand Talisker 10. Geez - I'm going off to find one in my cupboard now!

Wonderfully light and grainy. A classic entry Irish malt. The triple copper pot distillation provides the platform - and Bushmills is a standard. It's not "outstanding", but it is solid at the price point and in the marque. You should have one on your shelf.

I hadn't drunk a 90% rye until this came in on a bargin and last year's world whiskey award recommendations. I can see the notes are talking it down, but let us take it from where it is. Raisins. Raisins and a good spiciness. It's good. The aroma is nice and fruity, but the tongue feel is thin and the after taste is as well. It finishes short. The rye seems to give a good antidote to the sweetness of other north american corn based distillates. It's a full 90% rye in the mash bill, which makes it an unusual offering. I don't know what the remaining 10% is. Overall, I like it's approach and can see myself drinking more rye. But it needs to pick up the end of the dram to earn more from me. Might be best in cocktails well married rather than a sipping whiskey. I'll give it 85% for what it is.

oh me, oh my. this is such a delightful little drop. acquired mine in europe - its caol ila stock approach, with all the benefits you might expect from a bit more of a lie down. is it worth the extra on the standard? by dram in a restaurant: possibly. at the duty free: if you're bored and need a speaking piece. that said: i have this, and i love it. smokey, barley, smooth with long term wood character and a place in the afterlife.