I’m a big fan of a Talisker 10y/o. I always have a bottle on the shelf but, bizarrely, it’s one I tend to drink only when I’m in the ‘right’ mood. I always think of it as an outdoor whisky. To be enjoyed after a long walk, or at the top of a hill or next to a campfire - you get the picture - it’s a dram for relaxing and contemplating life. There is no doubt that this is a Talisker, but it’s a very different beast. Not a quiet contemplation - this is a bar fight! This is a Talisker that kicks you in the teeth... Nose: Peat, seaweed and smoke. A little citrus and toffee sweetness. Palate: Smokey and peppery. It’s quite ‘hot’ for a Talisker, but it’s creamy and rich enough to carry it. You can definitely taste it’s 57%. There a good bit of vanilla and oak hiding behind the smoke. If you persevere with it, you can also get some citrus and zesty fruit in there. Finish: Long finish. Pepper, vanilla and wood. You get the waft of smoke for ages after your finished. Overall, this is a great big weighted sock of a dram. For an almost cask strength NAS, this is an amazingly easy dram to drink (dangerous at 57%!). I could consider this a session dram, but I suspect that would be a baaaad idea. Lovely!