Talisker 18 Year

Lovely, good balance between peat and sweetness but still prefer the Talisker 10.

Nose: Peat with sweetness and salt Taste: citrus, peat, a little brine. Well balanced. Finish: lingering bitterness, but not in a bad way.

If Talisker isn't my favorite distillery, it's right up there. I formed that opinion after years of drinking the 10-year and never having the opportunity to try anything else. Now, after having had a couple variations, I think that opinion holds true more than ever. Nose: Briny as they come; just what I expect of Talisker. Big seaweed, big sea salt. The ocean spray from a wave hitting the coastline displayed on the packaging could not be more fitting. Lighter on the smoke and peat, but still present. Honey, vanilla, toffee, malt, and a bit of milk chocolate. Roasted almonds and salted caramel. Orange and pineapple citrus. Amazing oak touch of oak. Some apple and pear, as well as marshmallow and jelly. I could go all day with this one. Superb. Palate: More of those briny, sea salt, ocean spray notes. Peat and smoke are ramped up, but are still at medium intensity. Some savory meaty notes, as well as big caramel and milk chocolate. More apple, pear, orange, and pineapple. Vanilla, honey, and toffee. Honeydew and cantaloupe now as well. Beautiful oak once again. And the peat hits at the mid-palate. It's still not particularly smoky, but instead it's that black bean, red-pepper chili I've now come to associate with Talisker. Baking spices to boot: black pepper, cinnamon especially. Phenomenal. Finish: Spice bomb. Sea salt, cinnamon, and black pepper. The chili is all in tact. Ginger makes an appearance. A healthy dose of oak. Vanilla fills in the cracks to bring what makes for a very long finish to a satisfying conclusion. Absolute winner. Didn't even have to check the stats before awarding this a 5/5. This is one of the best whiskies I've ever had. Talisker doesn't provide a large pool of offerings, but everything they do have is stellar at worst. As a whole, the Islands can hold their own with Islay. There is plenty to see here. Talisker 18 is quite easily one of the best bottles I've ever owned, and I'd urge any Scotch fanatic to buy without hesitation. It artfully tows the line between the world of intense coastal peat and the realm of eloquent, layered, and balanced malt. Well done, Talisker.