Talisker Port Ruighe

You ever seen one of those movies where it's just great all the way through, except the ending just falls apart? This is the whisky version of that. I got this as my Flaviar sample, all the way from lovely Ljubjana, Slovenia (it's a really cute pretty capital). Personally, I love Talisker. One of my favorites, especially their Distiller's. This one is good, but not quite there as the 10, 18, or Distiller. The nose is almost like a pine forest by the sea. You smell juniper, mixed with a salty sea air. Really can smell this all day long. The taste is chocolate with salt, a slight smoke. Like hot chocolate with fire roasted marshmallows, laced with salt. Almost up there with the Distiller,. But the finish is where it falls apart. Really quick, astringent, and sharp. I'm surprised...Taliskers have a long salty finish. Maybe it was just my Flaviar sample? This is apparently $50 for a bottle. Would I pay that much for it? Probably not---at the same price , I can get the Talisker 10, which is a notch better, especially in the finish.

Gross, no thanks. Couldn't even give this one away.

A fun, cheeky whisky: seductive smell of smoke, salt, vanilla and red fruit. Tastes bold, with more red fruit (think dark, succulent fruit like cherries), pepper, and smoke, in that order. Very nice, but its youth shows: notes are too separated, and they leave rather quick like a rude dinner guest. Would be top shelf material with a few extra years.

Pleasant, mild, and well worth the time drinking it!