Talisker 10 Year

Flat out one of the best single malts out on the market – And readily available!

DISTILLERY	Talisker
REGION	Carbost, Isle of Skye – Scotland
AGE	10 Years
STRENGTH	45.8 % ABV (91.6 Proof)
MASHBILL	100% Malted Barley
MSRP	~$60

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GLANCE

Clear with straw to medium golden hue

NOSE

Clean with medium to pronounced intensity. You get the peatiness right away with sweet and saltiness. Raisins, peaches (caramelized peaches), stewed apples with a dash of cinnamon.

PALATE

Off-dry to medium sweetness with a mouthfilling texture. Medium to pronounced flavor intensity. Gentle peat smoke, apricot, pear and stewed light fruits. Raisins, hint of milk chocolate and vanilla enter towards the back of the palate. Cardamon and hints of all spice rounds out the palate.

FINISH

Medium in length overall with some complexity. Vanilla, oak, cardamon and milk chocolate

CLOSING REMARKS

This is Talisker’s flagship product, and I must say for the price and its presentation, this is the way. Talisker was founded in 1830 and then acquired by the Distiller’s Company back in 1925. As of now its owned by Diageo. The spirit is made from 100% Malted barley which is sourced from a town of Muir of Ord. The grains once delivered to the facility are malted, peated and milled. Talisker uses a double distillation method.

thirtyonewhiskey.com

“Once the barley has been malted and peated, it is mashed using soft water drawn from one of the 14 underground springs that rise from Hawk Hill.  Talisker has been using the same water source since it was founded nearly two centuries ago.  After the barley has been mashed, it is fermented in the distillery’s wooden washbacks before being twice distilled through Talisker’s copper-pot stills. The stills are equipped with swan-shaped lye pipes and worm tubs, which gives Talisker whisky its signature, full-bodied flavor profile.”

This is a great introduction to the world of Islay scotch whiskies. One of the things I often hear from people when I ask them if they have explored scotches, is “I have tried some but I just can’t get over the smokiness/peat” – well I believe with this Talisker the smoke is perfectly paired with the complex fruit flavors and sweetness. The peatiness I feel carries the flavors forward while staying in the background but not completely invisible. You can tell by the level of the bottle, that I have thoroughly enjoyed this expression! Cheers!

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