Clarkebar
Talisker Distillers Edition
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
September 10, 2018 (edited December 17, 2018)
My bottle is marked 2003/2014. I have a genuine fondness for these special Editions. This one is altogether a treat, though not as much of one as the Lagavulin DE, at least to my taste (but it's so close). I opened it yesterday, nosed it a good while and then had a little taste to whet the appetite and begin the appreciation and review process. I did compose one but held off on putting it here. I'm glad I did since sometimes those first impressions are the whole story and sometimes not.
Stephanie is right. This is a confection, as the top line of the glass swirl begins to drip a myriad of thin legs and forms little arches like icing on a Holiday cake. The nosing to me reveals a honeyed, fruity, and peaty scent with slight iodine, smoke, orange and clove. On the tongue it is oily, briny, and light in body as per the thin legs produced in the glass. In the mouth, a medium smoky sweetness mixes with peaty goodness and it's off to the races to a superb and lengthy peat finish. This is the kind of peat experience I like best, much different than say, Laphroaig. A reasonable pour can last me a good while with this style and character profile.
When one considers all of the attributes contained in this whisky, and as a comparison here in PA, offered at a 25% discount over the Laga DE, it is a remarkable achievement ... really well done. This is a very smooth drinking whisky and well crafted. If it had more of the irrepressible smoked meat of the Lagavulin DE, it would likely be it's equal, if not superior. But things being what they are, at least for me, it is not. But then again, it needn't be and shouldn't be, as it is quite fine as it is. Superb and 4.5 stars. I will look to purchase every year.
$75 USD in PA
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To all in the D.C. area: The Traveling Ardbeg Tour Bus will be parked outside Schneider's Capitol Hill (cellar.com) in D.C. on 9/16 from 1-4. Virtual Ardbeg distillery rooms abound. Mystery games, etc. 3 Ardbegs for tasting - Uigeadail, An Oa, 10yr. Don't know if I can get there but I'll try.
@Clarkebar Oh, great review BTW
@Clarkebar Best thing about Scotland? 1. The landscape (stunning) 2. The whisky (stunning) 3. The people (Scots - ha!) 4. What's golf? ;-)
Ahhh, the politics of whisky drinking! I've seen this movie before. We used to call it snipe hunting. While I appreciate the considerable opportunities laid before me, I must politely defer for awhile, at least until I've got the lay of the land. Barkeep, another round!
@Clarkebar dude...I’ll,personally buy you a bottle of Great Odin’s Raven scotch if you tag @Ronburgandy in the review . Make it scathing.
@Clarkebar - “I’ll stick to neat.” Congratulations, you’ve moved up the People I Most Admire on Distiller List. To continue your chances to rise even higher use these hints: 1.) Call out Distiller’s @mikael for something juvenile with the app, such as font size. 2.) Pick on @Telex over his song choice for one of his dram themes. 3.) Remind @Soba45 that he has more reviews than anyone else. 4.) Ask @PBMichiganWolverine why he has to bash Girvan so much. 5.) Sample and write a critical review of Ron Burgundy’s Great Odin’s Raven blended scotch and wait... 😆
Went back and tried some water with this one, against my better judgement. Overall seems to soften and weaken what makes this a great tasting whisky. Also seems to be a killjoy to the few minutes after peat-finish. Oh well, sometimes it works and sometimes not. I'll stick to neat.
Well whatever the case, it's a great combination.
Probably whisky :)
@Clarkebar - thanks! It’s hard to say which I like most about Scotland; the whisky or the golf. 😊
Thank you Rick. I truly appreciate the kind words coming from a seasoned whisky fan, such as yourself. I can see you have many a fine review on here, often with a wonderful story as background/foreground. I envy you your travels and the many fine whiskys you have enjoyed at great distilleries. Hmmm? Too many I's...so much for writing skills! If you're ever in Gettysburg ... :-)
@Clarkebar - great review and writing skills. I hope you put this craft to good use while working. :)
I look forward to reading your impressions should you post.
@Clarkebar I have a Laga DE 99/15 sample hidden somewhere... Now I have to find and try it! :-)
Thank you Antonio. Perhaps a smarter plan would be to stock up on as many of these as I can right now. Already have several Lag DE's in the barn, all 1999/2015 :-)
2003/2014 is by far the best Talisker DE from recent batches IMHO so I would advice you to try before buying a different vintage.