Talisker 25 year old 2008 Release
Review by Talisker
- Nose
Soft and mellow, with some hot prickle, and discernible pepper. First, drie seaweed and light caramel, then smoked ham. Becomes more complex, with notes of iodine and carbolic, and wisps of lightly fragrant wood smoke drifting above a buttery chocolate cake, topped with slices of pear in a raspberry coulis. Later, new upholstery. Water releases some menthol and eucalyptus, at the expense of the chocolate cake. Charred wood, with some beach smells behind, including very fresh fillet of fish: sushi! Traces of boat varnish after a while.
- Palate
Drinks well at natural strength, having a pleasant, oily texture. Sweet to taste at first, then lightly smoky and warming. More rich, moist chocolate cake, in raspberry purée; suffused with spicy wood and smoke. With water, well balanced and positive - light sweetness, some salt, a little acidity, drying gently among smoke.
- Finish
Long, gingery and warming; a smoky aftertaste. Earthy and smoky chocolate with very late, drying oak.
- Note
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Natural Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Isle of Skye. An excellent expression of Talisker: full of character, mellow but still vigorous, and magnificent at cask strength. Clean, fresh and maritime.