PBMichiganWolverine
Talisker 8 Year (2020 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
October 21, 2020 (edited February 16, 2022)
Wow...two months since I’ve had any whiskey at all. Normally, I have a small 3cl pour every Saturday evening. But since months, I had lost interest. I always made it a point that during my bday, my wife’s, and my kid’s bdays or accomplishments I’d have a special bottle. So—-after 2 months, I cracked this open as a celebratory pour for my son’s bday.
First thing’s first...and that’s the 800lb gorilla in the room regarding these Diageo Special releases and their pricing. Over the years, these young malts have crept up in price to rival a malt that’s in the 20s. And the only thing “special” about it has been a different finishing, or CS version. I’m a huge Talisker fan, so I did buy this , despite knowing I’m being fleeced $100 for a 8 yr old. I also bought the Lag special release, hopefully will open that another celebratory event.
So, on to the pour itself. This year is a first for Talisker: it has a rum finish, and at CS version. I absolutely loved the 2018 version 8 yr old, so was hoping to love this as well. That rum finish becomes evident on the nose. You get the smoke and saline, but with a sweet undertone. Like smoky salted caramel. But, on the palette, I’m not getting the nuances...I’m just getting the standard Talisker brine and peat, just stronger than the standard 10. I’m guessing the finishing must not have been long enough, or 2nd -3rd fill.
So...if you’re a Talisker fanboy, this is a must have, just for the uniqueness and CS version. It’s an excellent whiskey. At $100, it’s not breaking the bank, but let’s face it...you can get older whiskeys at the same price. This and the Lag special release are probably the hardest to get a hold of, just being price friendly, and unique enough. But If you’re not a Talisker fanboy, spend that $100 on an older more mature whiskey.
For me, I love Talisker, so it’s a solid pour, and one I’d gladly buy again.
If any of my standard buddies here are interested in a pour, let me know...I’m barely having a pour nowadays, so there’s no way I’m finishing a bottle anytime soon. Will gladly send over a pour or two, just cover shipping.
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@Anthology @dhsilv2 if the price is reasonable, it’s a no-brainer buy when it hits our shores
@dhsilv2 Honestly don’t know. All WA says is that it’s coming stateside in late fall, which should be right about now give or take a month+ with slower-than-usual supply chain.
@Anthology do we know which arr coming to the us, if any? And yes, there will be much consumption in a week or so...for many reasons.
Nice review! I haven’t seen any of the Diageo 2020 releases in my neck of the woods but I’ll be sure to be on the lookout for this...price-gouging and all. As for the state of the country, no comment. In same vein as @dhsilv2, I suspect there might be an exponential, [albeit temporary], uptick in whiskey and other spirits consumption in roughly 8 days from today (10/26/20)! It is what it is...🤷🏿♂️
@1901 LOL - I guess the old warehouse stocks have dried up.
@1901 Haha...Nothing surprises me in the marketing world any more..I'm picking limited edition single source spring bottling taking over in the water world. Everyone will be arguing the merits of 2016 vs 2018 and how quality is going down hill... :-)
@Ctrexman Good to hear :-). I was thinking there is a new generation of solid core drinkers such as yourself coming through as many old timers such as myself, Lee and GP (distiller site wise) have faded away somewhat! Need to find a symbolic virtual baton to hand over :-)
@PBMichiganWolverine nice review, and I agree these are crazy times for the world, and maybe for the US in particular. You’ve got the right approach - it’s always better to enjoy alcohol when you are in the right headspace. @Soba45 i hear the Aquafina 2018 Special Release is excellent. But Fiji water has never been the same since Rachel Barrie came in and changed the formula :-)
Glad to see you back reviewing. Dont worry Im probably drinking enough to cover you, Soba, Lee and anyone else burnt out. Hope y'all are well, us newbies will try to keep the flame lit. Its crazy times now so take solace in family and friends and fret not we will come through this in due time.
@PBMichiganWolverine sounds good. Thanks.
@Scott_E glad to send this your way. I’ll have something else open in a few weeks for my bday, so why not I wait till then and include that too
@PBMichiganWolverine That would be interesting to taste if glacial. slice of ancient history most likely!
@PBMichiganWolverine love Talisker. Haven’t seen this one. Will keep eyes out and hopefully stumble on it. Enjoy at your pace. Share when you want. Always a pleasure reading your reviews, regardless of the spirit (or tea, or fruit mixers). I am trying not to get so caught up anymore in news. So much skew and negativity. Working to break the chain and find simple joys. I will let you know if it ultimately works out. Lol.
@Soba45 i believe it. All water is not created equal...the best tasting water I’ve had was in Iceland.
@CKarmios @PBMichiganWolverine Amazingly a water sommelier is actually a thing. This article talks about him at a restaurant in LA which has a 40 page water list! https://www.businessinsider.com.au/i-went-to-a-water-tasting-with-a-water-sommelier-and-it-was-not-nearly-as-crazy-as-you-think-2015-6?r=US&IR=T
@PBMichiganWolverine so back in college me and some friends got into craft beer an we found this EPIC fullers vintage sale, 2004....which was 3-4 years old at the time. We played beer pong with it one night! Pretty much like doing that, lol. That said I agree I drink for taste, but sometimes we get more than a buzz doing that. As for who does what...it's a werid world right now. For me I'm drinking more and have lost 30 pounds during covid. I'm just trying to make better decisions and drinking more often vs drinking MORE when I do. It's all balance.
@CKarmios thats exactly it! I would think most of whiskey enthusiasts drink for the enjoyment. I can’t see the, pounding $300 bottles like a college kid. And for the enjoyment, you need other parts of your like in a good state too—-even those influenced by things out of your control like our current divided state we’re in here
@Soba45 Maybe petition to have craft artisan water reviews here ☺️
@Soba45 i personally liked this one more than the 2018 ( I forget what I gave that ), namely b/c of the aroma
Happy birthday to your son @PBMichiganWolverine !
@PBMichiganWolverine well, most of us don’t drink for the alcohol, rather we taste for the enjoyment. It’s difficult to find joy with all the s**t going on at the moment. As for @Soba45 I hear the clear variety is highly rated 😀
@Generously_Paul Oh yes.. happened to me as well...well well overdid it.. short stint on g&t at the moment..easier on the gut..i think drinking spirits is a bit like RSI (repetitive strain injury) though as already I think I'm hitting peak gin after a year! I hear craft artesian water is a thing so maybe that's next...although if i get sick of water I'm in trouble!
Nice to see a review from you again :-). I was very interested to see a review from someone i know. How it compare to the 2018? Vaguely remember your score to be similar... and you paying half the price!
@dhsilv2 exactly! The social, economic, political has such an impact on well being.
@PBMichiganWolverine seems like a good reason to increase the drams...though it's also a time to be mindful as these are certainly slightly depressing times as well. Remember the days of seeing a person's face in public?
@Slainte-Mhath I think in my case personally, I was bothered by the climate here in the US ( not as in weather). Just what we’re going through with pandemic, economy, racism, protests, etc.
@Slainte-Mhath I think all 3 of us suffered some burn out. We all went so hard for so long pounding out reviews that it just became too much. Personally I switched to mixing bourbon and Coke and went back to beer for the summer months. Hopefully I'll be back to whisky soon
@PBMichiganWolverine Great review, and I was already wondering where you are! Haven't seen you, @LeeEvolved and @Generously_Paul around in a while! -Slainte