Talisker 18 Year Old Review And Tasting Notes
The Talisker 18-year-old is one of the most fascinating and balanced single malts in the peaty whisky scene.
It was distilled in 1995 and is a single malt of rock and silk, elegant, peaty, but with grace and elegance, it dares, but above all, the sea is once again the protagonist.
The sea with its saltiness, iodine, the scents of algae mixed with charcoal, and splendid fruity hints of sultanas and candied oranges. This whisky is a symphony played by expert hands, played on the precise contrast between caramelized notes of toffee, the freshness of citrus fruits, the flavor of the sea, and the savory tone of peat.
As soon as you taste it, it seems that a fight is unleashed in the mouth. The sea would like to prevail; it would bellow and puff, but it calms down. The storm is now over.
Of course, it is not a cheap dram. The price, between $100 and $110, is in the medium-high range but not too high to tell the truth for an (incredible) 18-year-old whisky.
But remember that it is a distillate to sip slowly. It has nothing to do with the Talisker Skye and has a more natural aromatic development than the Talisker Distillers Edition. This is a miniature masterpiece from the Isle of Skye distillery.
The bouquet
The nose is elegant, delicate, but rich. All played on the subtle balance between freshness, caramel, candied fruit, salt, and peat. The aromatic depth and persistence are incredible. If you pour it into the glass, it invades the whole room with its intense but graceful aroma. Elegant notes of tropical fruit and herbaceous returns complement it, making it even more lavish.
The taste
On the palate, it is full and warm. As soon as you kiss it, it attacks you with a ferocious sapidity, then comes the rough caress of the peat that titillates the tongue without ever being rude. The sweet notes of fruit and toffee counterbalance the thickness and amplify its gustatory horizons, making it docile, but don’t think it is mushy or plump like a ruddy Cardhu. The structure is robust. The persistence is fabulous, and the balance is excellent.
If you are looking for a peaty yet elegant whisky, this Talisker 18 is a bottle to try. It doesn’t give up its wild nature as a purebred from the Hebrides, but it has changed it by taming all the typical thickness of Talisker whiskeys with a tasty softness and citrus fruits that play them down beautifully.
Price
110, even a little less, but overall, it’s money well spent.
Food Pairings
Tiramisù, chocolate salami, pear and chocolate tart, blueberry cheesecake, chocolate truffles, apple tart.