Talisker 18 Year

Talisker was founded in 1830 by the MacAskill and, after almost two centuries a more than one change of hands, is now owned by spirit conglomorate Diageo. The five stills at the distillery – two wash and three spirit – have a unique feature called swan neck lye pipes. A loop in the pipe moves some vapor into the worm tubs, which condenses some of the alochol therein before it is distilled again. Along with having travel retain bottles and a few No Age Statement expressions, the core of the lineup features five aged offerings, beginning with the Talisker 10. The Talisker 18 Year has long been part of the distillery’s output, along with the 10, and has gained much notice after winning 2007’s “Best Single Malt In The World” at the World Whiskies Awards.

Distillery: Talisker
Region: Island
Age: 18 years
Strength: 45.8%
Price: $179.99
Maturation: ex-bourbon American oak casks
Location: Carbost, Isle of Skye
Nose: Perfume, candy, honeysuckle, smoke, sandalwood, pear, spearmint
Palate: Brine, oak, wintergreen
Finish: Plum, spearmint

Comments: No water needed here.

Adam – The Talisker 18 opens on the nose like waking from a fever dream, with all the mythical elements so real and so close you could almost touch them. Or, in this case, taste them. A perfume of sandalwood, mint, fruit, flower and smoke draw you in, one element after the other, with a little brine teasing of things to come. Thankfully that tease comes to fruition on the palate with brine leading the way accompanied by some wood notes. Mint rises in the background that blossoms in the finish with a dash of stone fruit. Unlike some younger expressions from the distillery that can let one or another element dominate, the additional maturation has done much to balance out the competing influences while allowing greater complexity to shine. This is not an inexpensive cask but more than worth it for what you get.

Henry – Light sweetness, aromatic sandalwood, and a hint of peat on a restrained and elegant nose. Palate shines with sweet toast, vanilla, perfume, a hint of wintergreen, and gentle peat borne on a current of warmth. Wintergreen and green peat on the finish, with a bit of tingle on the tongue.

Ben – The sweetness is more elegant on the nose. The Talisker 18 has taken a lot of the individual elements out of it, it’s now shared one blended experience.

Bill – The nose sort of has a palasanto note, like an incense.

Mike – The Talisker 18 is lovely, definitely more mature than younger expressions. Nummy.