Soba45
Talisker Skye
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
January 5, 2020 (edited December 1, 2022)
Despite my dislike of the previous bourbons due to their profile they were quality drams. This sad to say is not. I think it's worse than the terrible 25 year i once had (solely a batch issue as 2 years later I had another which was great). That at least was a twisted promise of what could have been potential. This doesn't even try. It's like they got the dregs from all the crap barrels watered them down and flogged them off. Usually this would be a sub 3 score but it still has the magic Talisker profile I love however much it tramples over the reputation. Taste: its like a diluted ash tray had a baby with a bottle of honey mead and then tried to abort it and instead bottled it under the Talisker label. One good thing about it is it isn't terrible as such despite that description just really inoffensive and cheaply constructed. On a more positive note I managed to score a bottle of the fabulous Talisker 8 year special release, sadly it's in Aussie with the relatives until either they or I travel to our respective places.
Ok enough sampling for a monday night I'm going to round out with a tried and true Loch Gorm 2019 as a night cap. Oíche mhaith!
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@Soba45 Oh I’m certain that it was crafted as the introductory dram - baby’s first Talisker so as not to scare novices with too much of the signature chilli catch.
@jonwilkinson7309 Yeah it seems like they wanted a cheap price point whiskey and (maybe?) to introduce a watered down version for those not used to the Talisker profile. Well thats the charitable version anyhow..more likely they let the accountant and marketing teams lose to aim for maximum distribution at minimum cost!
Very fair review, IMO. I usually like Talisker (Storm, 10 and Distiller's in particular). I had a sample of the Skye (thankfully not a full bottle), and it's the only Talisker that left me asking, "Why????"
@1901 To be fair I was several deep into my samplings and I had it after cask strength whiskies so it wasn't tasted in the best environment!
@Soba45 Ouch! That's a real takedown! A spear tackle even, because (to mix sporting analogies further) I am going to bat for this one. I liked it! And I liked it more than Talisker Storm. There I said it and I'm sure Diageo are grateful for my support :-)
My first Talisker was a tasting of Storm at Talisker. It should tell us something that they give you storm and not skye for a tasting.
@SpartaTodd Yes those two are great vfm. If you get a chance try the Neist Point as that's a step up again (although sadly in price to)
@PBMichiganWolverine Ah nice that I'd love to try. I'll double check but I don't think it graced our shores.
@cascode Yeah Talisker is frustrating. It's like the kid you know who can produce brilliant results at school when they put their mind to it, concentrate and don't try and take short cuts. Half the time they just don't seem to care though. Poor versions of great age statements or just plain terrible slop!
I love Talisker and have avoided ever trying this one. Storm is the really good NAS for me and 57 N is the cask strength NAS I crave. Every review I have read slogs this one pretty hard. I just pretend it does not exist. ;)
The Talisker 8 was incredible. I managed to get the Talisker 15 this year, which I’m hoping to be really good too
This whisky is noteworthy solely for being outstandingly bland and banal. I tasted it at a whisky bar in Inverness a few years ago and was so unimpressed I didn't give it any comments in my tasting journal. Just a score of 75/100.