PBMichiganWolverine
Talisker Port Ruighe
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
May 28, 2016 (edited March 18, 2018)
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.
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Yup the finish was a let down. Still I loved the main act!
Agreed, all around.
Totally agree with Davie. instead of limited releases, I'd much rather go to under-appreciated ones which offer good quality at a fair price ( Ardbeg 10, Laga 16, American and Canadian ryes and bourbon)
I sadly have to concur, a limited release doesn't always seem to spell quality or improvement, of the few I've sampled, they wouldn't be missed when they're gone... If a distiller happens on a winning combination (of both flavors and economic efficiency to produce), they'll do their best to integrate it into their core range. But what to do with subpar projects that miss the mark? What to do with dozens of casks that went a little sideways? Well slap a pretty limited label on them, jack the price and watch them get snapped up. As my father always said: "there's an ass for every seat."
Thanks Scott. I think you're right---but I think some of these distillers trick us by labeling "limited" release to mean better quality. Not always the case, as we see in these Ardbeg releases where none of their llimited matches against their standard Uigi or 10.
Great review. You have a way of bringing common social scenarios as an analogy which works very well. I too love Talisker and the same core three you mention. I wonder if distillers would be better served by narrowing done the product choices and concentrate on "quality". Quality over quantity? Counter to the modern day business model, I know.