2nd time tasting this Talisker expression. The nose has dark ripe blueberries, interesting depth on the sweet fruit side, accompanied by a quite spirity alcohol nose but with a great subtle smooth peat. The fruitiness decreases the longer you nose it - that’s weird. But it gives way to some more organic but subtle aromas like earth and wet old wood. Basically the nose is smooth and soft but has a nice depth. The palate is not very defined. Not much of the fruits left. It is peppery hot and tanninic bitter like ground nut shells or even like the bitterness from Tonic. The peat is rough and nice but not very intense. The finish remains quite bitter again. After that the peat intensifies on the nose slightly. A few drops of water brings out a lot more sweetness on the nose, blackberries, leather. The palate becomes noticeably less intense though. While the nose is really quite nice and gets better further into the dram and further improves with added water, the taste isn’t really pleasant. I don’t understand the bitterness on the palate and the sharp alcoholic burn also is quite off putting. The peat is nice but doesn’t save it. Over all an ok whiskey but It doesn’t hit the Talisker standard quality in my opinion.