Talisker 10 Year Review
In-Depth Review
Talisker was, until recently, the only operational distillery on the Isle of Skye. It was unique within Diageo’s “Classic Malts” range for highlighting a strong ocean influence brought on by its close proximity to the sea. And it makes sense as Talisker’s moniker “Made by the Sea”, pays homage to its importance to the character of the whisky. But Talisker is no longer the only player on Skye, with the newly operational Torabhaig Distillery, joining Talisker on one of the western most coasts of Scotland.
Aged 10 years, and bottled at an unusual 45.8%, Talisker 10 stands out on the shelf with its classic blue and cream label and elegant bottle design. This is the entry level bottling for Talisker, with versions like the 18 year and Distiller’s Edition slotting above this. I purchased this particular bottle as part of the 200ml Diageo “Classic Malts” Collection from K&L. One again K&L comes in clutch on these smaller bottles that make it easy to try many different styles of whisky without breaking the bank.
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 45.8%
Cask: Mostly ex-bourbon barrels
MSRP: Around $70
Distillery Name: Talisker
Review Date: 2/20/21
Color: Goldenrod
Nose: Upon nosing the glass, you’re immediately hit with a whiff of salty, briny, minerality. Then comes the smell of campfire ash, like waking up the morning after burning a campfire only to find it still smoldering. There are earthy tones throw in as well. But as the whisky sits in the glass and opens up, more of the sweetness arrives, with notes of rosewater, honeysuckle, and sweet herbs. Overall a very intriguing nose with a lot happening.
Palate: Just like on the palate, the ocean influence is immediately apparent on the first sip. It’s fascinating how much the distillery’s location can play into a whisky’s flavors. There is seaweed, salt, and minerality present but is quickly washed away by notes of honey and light orchard fruits. Freshly baked bread and sweet cereal malt also show up. And as the whisky begins to transition into the finish, more smoke arrives. Mouthfeel is fine, but it’s the flavors that shine here. Talisker 10 presents at a good proof, so it never feels thin or watered down, but fails to impressive on the mouthfeel.
Finish: Medium to long finish. The peat and smoke that was present on the nose return to the forefront on the finish. Freshly cracked pepper and charcoal lingers on the palate, with a dry finish that caps off an intriguing pour.
Final Thoughts: Talisker 10 was one of my first experiences with an island Scotch, and the influence of the sea really shined here. A smokey salty sea breeze defined the nose, while sweetness and malt dominated the palate, only to be overcome again on the finish by smoke. The journey was an unusual one, and the healthy ABV kept is interesting throughout. Talisker 10 was a surprising, fascinating, multi-layered whisky that kept me reaching for more. So much so that I may end up trying to grab a full 750ml bottle for myself.
