Jan-Case
Talisker 57º North
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
October 13, 2020 (edited October 14, 2020)
This is one of the more rare Talisker bottlings that has an ABV above the traditional 45.8%. I don’t think the 57% is actual cask strength because at that assumed young NAS age it probably would be 60 or above - but it is close.
Even though it has a lot more alcohol percentage it for sure doesn’t show on the nose. It is very smooth. There is also some very nice bright fruits. So far the nicest fruit mix of any Talisker. Especially in combination with the mild peat. There is some pineapple as well as woody spices like nutmeg and cloves. I think what I like the most about it is that is very defined and clean and also deep and smooth.
The palate is equally pure and equalized: nice peat, great fruit sweetness, vibrant citric notes and smooth nuts, vanilla and spices - all coming together in a silky sweet unison with a lively kick. Really nice.
The finish stays sweet sour with a nice peat on the side. No bitterness and the burn is appropriate for the high ABV.
After a few drops of water (with the ABV somewhere around 50%) the nose gets a bid more dry and the peat steps more into the foreground. But the nice fruits (now with added banana) and more vanilla become more defined as well.
This Talisker has been and after this taste still is definitely one of - if not the - favorite Talisker expressions of mine.
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I barely passed on this when buying my bottle of 18. I might need to reconsider next time :)
This is the winner of my 6-samples shoot-out. While the 18y is equally good and has some more deep aroma and flavor depths, the 57 degree for me is more enjoyable over all.
I've not seen this around for a long time, but as I remember it your notes are right on the button - pure, fresh, vibrant - yeah it all comes back 😀 The 57 in the abv and the name is by design - it's the latitude of the distillery (almost exactly!).