islay_emissary
Talisker 10 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
December 7, 2017 (edited October 10, 2022)
My last bottle of Talisker10 was purchased over a decade ago. I remember it being mildly smoky, and since the regulars here have been giving it high grades, I decided to get reacquainted. This time around, the nose was a pleasant surprise and smokier than I had previously recalled. Only peated to about 20ppm, it impressed me as being closer to its Diageo cousin, and my favorite, Lagavulin16 (40ppm). Both have color added and are chill filtered, but the Talisker is a few shades lighter and less luxurious looking. The nose is an outstanding bourbon-barrel islander that could easily be mistaken for an Islay. Smoke, iodine, toasted barley, nautical mist, seaweed, honeyed vanilla, and lemon citrus all swirling in a sumptuous 45.8% alcoholic brew. The first swig greets the taste buds with peppery effervescence followed by toasted grains, vanilla saltwater taffy, and more citrus all delivered with a light-to-medium viscosity. A medium finish is cinnamon pepper smooth and satisfying with a pinch of caramel. Adding a small touch of water to tone down the spiciness brought out a little more sweetness, but really thinned things out more than anticipated or to my liking. I took a 2nd pour with a pile of ice, the way I normally drink Lagavulin, but this somewhat dampened the spirit’s integrity with smokiness turning slightly metallic. Overall, a great whisky I would rate at a solid 4 stars, and at its price point this could, affectionately, be described as a “poor man’s Lagavulin.” (defense shields going up) :)
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How would you compare the 10 to Skye in terms of smokiness? Distiller’s editor reviewed both. I think she’s a bit of a peathead. :)
Nice review and agree about the awesome Lagavulin. Interesting Talisker 10 year is 96 whilst the Talisker Skye is 85 - I don't think there should be 11 points between them. Yes they are different, the Skye is brasher, floral and a tad more spice but its a good drink, and similar price. The Lagavulin is a monster, and it is priced to take on all-comers, even 30 year olds!
@deuce26: Yes, Uigeadail is a great whisky. I still like Ardbeg10 slightly better based on smoke, but Uigeadail is definitely more complex and tough to argue against.
Finally had Lagavulin 16 the other day. Wasn’t that impressed. I think my expectations were too high. My favorite Islay at the moment is Ardbeg Uigeadail. I am going to pull the trigger soon on Talisker 10. I have had Talisker Storm, which I really enjoyed. Great review.
Finally had Lagavulin 16 the other day. Wasn’t that impressed. I think my expectations were too high. My favorite Islay at the moment is Ardbeg Uigeadail. I am going to pull the trigger soon on Talisker 10. I have had Talisker Storm, which I really enjoyed. Great review.
Finally had Lagavulin 16 the other day. Wasn’t that impressed. I think my expectations were too high. My favorite Islay at the moment is Ardbeg Uigeadail. I am going to pull the trigger soon on Talisker 10. I have had Talisker Storm, which I really enjoyed. Great review.
Good point, but this was my way of weighing in on your Dalwhinnie15 review. ;)
Great review. One of the true solid drams out there. I’d have to say that Caol Ila is the poor mans Lagavulin though, since they are both Diageo (as is Talisker), and use the same malted barley peated to the exact same level