Davie-Warner
Talisker 10 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
January 3, 2017 (edited October 30, 2020)
A tricky knot to unravel, took quite a few tastings before it's secrets were revealed... Nose opens with a bombardment of sweet woody smoke, salted toffee, old-fashioned doughnuts with cinnamon sugar. Pelagic notes; sea salt, wet hemp rope, scent of land on the horizon. Waft of sautéed mushrooms coming up from the galley. Palate is vegetal, nutty, with rich wood, more smoldering pine than oak. Then settles into smooth lemon-vanilla creme (but not too sweet). Hulking finish, dark caramel, bitter orange peel. Hints of wasabi and pickled ginger on the tail end. (Wait, what?) This dram seemed so simple and one-dimensional on the first pour, but soon I realized every aspect of it was nearly indescribable... deeper than it appears on the surface. A staple fifth. Dry glass: blackened marshmallow.
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I find the 57 North to be much more complex, but this one to be more balanced.
Great review. My thoughts exactly...1 dimensional...hang on hang on (few tastes later)..damn this is actually complex and great!
Spot on Davie and as usual another new word "pelagic". Love your reviews!
My whisky of choice to greet the New Year 2017. Reliable and exciting, as are your reviews!
Pickled ginger is that pink thin slice they give you with sushi. Spot on Davie----I had a hard time identifying the profile, but pickled ginger is on target
Never had pickled ginger, but it's a must try if it reminds me of Talisker! Enjoyed your review, as usual.