I was lucky to get this bottle as a birthday present from my whiskey mates (well a voucher for whiskey which I spent on this). I've had it open for a week now tasting here and there. So far I'm with Dreaming of Islay and Telex on this one. I like it. It's a mellower more refined version of the 10. But is it better than the 10 given the price or even at all. At this stage the answer is no and no for me. I have a feeling with more time open it'll improve further. I tried this after the Bowmore 18 which after a number of months open was beautiful probably at its peak so I have a feeling the scenario will play out similar for the Talisker 18. Update. After trying other drams including Craigellachie 13 and Glengas Torfa I think this drams new make is just more harsher / astringent / bitter. I think I'll actually drop this to barely a 4. I just confirmed this by trying the 10....it rules hands down for me. Much richer without the astringency...not sure whether the richness masks it or not or I got lower quality new make in the batch of the 18. And update 2. Many months later it's got better still and the bitterness has faded. Lovely mild pepper honey viscosity.