Review No.159. Talisker Skye

This is a relatively new non age statement offering from Talisker to go alongside  a couple of others (Storm & 57 degree north) and their 18 year old.  You will be able to find this bottle in most UK supermarket and on offer at around £25-£30.  I was not sure what to expect from this but based on the 10 Year Old I would expect a good dose of spiciness and peat.

Whisky: Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 45.8%

Nose: Salt and pepper, fish, dried fruits, black tea

Taste: Chilli, clove, spices, lemon, candy, salt, fish, black tea

Finish: Leather, salt, caramel

Score: 2.25

Summary: I am not sure what this adds to the Talisker range.  I did not enjoy it as much as the 10 year old.  There is a sweetness to this that I found similar to the Bowmore 9 year old, a kind of very sweet candy note.  There is a strong coastal element to this alongside a strange fishy notes which I don’t recall picking up in the 10 year old.  The sweetness to this is a bit too sugary and is only saved from being way too sweet by the spicy notes.  I would recommend you add a drop of water. I really don’t understand the need for this given that you can get the 10 year old for under £40 and this is priced near that amount when at full price.  I would suggest you skip it unless you get it on offer.

Scoring scale: My scores reflect a balance of the overall experience, availability and cost for a whisky,

1 – not to my preference

2 – tastes fine but does not excite me

3 – more to my liking and would revisit occasionally

4 – very much to my liking and would consider as a regular feature on my whisky shelf

5 – permanent feature on my whisky shelf

Image source: www.thewhiskyexchange.com