Talisker 10

[Simon-JG-hr]

Quick question for those whisky lovers out there. I've spotted a great deal on a bottle of Talisker 10yo (includes a Talisker hip-flask). I've heard good things about Talisker and have just referred to my recently bought 'Malt Whisky Companion' and it gets a really good score.

Have any of you tried this whisky before (I suspect that there are at least a couple of you...), and would you recommend it?

[Soulmanure]

I have not, but my whiskey drinking friends just told me I have to get some. I say go for it!

[Lionhound]

Thoroughly recommend Simon if you like the big peaty flavours. One of my favourites (a Skye whisky) along with Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Bruichladdich from Islay.

[Lionhound]

Forgot to ask (if its not top secret) where's the deal?

[Simon-JG-hr]

I love peat! I'm planning a sailing trip this summer from Troon - underneath Campbeltown and hitting the islands for distillery tours and sampling... lots of sampling... Might pop into Arran on the way back too.

I bought a bottle of Smokehead at the weekend - now, that was a wake up call.

[Simon-JG-hr]

The deal's on Royal Mile Whiskies - ?32, bottle of Talisker 10 including hipflask. Damn good deal as far as I can tell.

(They've also got Tamdhu 18yo with ?5 off - one of my staple whiskies recently).

[Maxi-J]

Yup, I'd have to concur! Rather nice dram indeed and Royal Mile Whiskies have a lovely store in London. If you like that you may also like Ardbeg/Laphroaig or indeed Islay malts per se!

Enjoy!

[michael69]

The deal's on Royal Mile Whiskies - ?32, bottle of Talisker 10 including hipflask. Damn good deal as far as I can tell.

(They've also got Tamdhu 18yo with ?5 off - one of my staple whiskies recently).

Great though the Talisker 10 Year old is (and leaving aside the flask for a moment), in my opinion you can get some better whiskies for this sort of money.

I'm not taking into account region/flavour preferences here, but my top picks from experience would be:

Aberlour A'bunadh, Benromach 10 Year old, Old Pulteney 12 Year old, Highland Park 12 Year old, Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Springbank 10 Year old, Caol ila 12 Year old.....

Generally, I find that the independent distilleries (eg Bladnoch, Benromach) are a superb value for money dram, often out-classing malts at twice the price from some of the "branded" whiskies.

That's not to say for a moment that there aren't some superb expressions from the big boys for reasonable money (see some of the above).

For me, Talisker 18 is the way to go (although it is double the cash!)

[Maxi-J]

The Quarter Cask really is excellent and such an improvement on the 12 yr Laphroaig

[cj121]

I'd say buy it Simon, considering the price is about retail recommended, plus you get the cute lil flask. It is a nice drop, notwithstanding the aforementioned alternatives. You wouldn't be disappointed with the profile and you can always grab something of Michael's list next week

[michael69]

The Quarter Cask really is excellent and such an improvement on the 12 yr Laphroaig

you mean the 10 year I think (there's no distillery bottling of 12 yr as far as I know).

10 yr is ok but, I agree, quarter cask is a significant step up.

I tried a really nice independent bottling of 12 though!

I love all profiles (especially Islays and premium bourbon whiskies).

If smoky/peaty is your bag, and you're spending a bit more.....

Laphroaig 10 yr old cask strength version, Lagavulin 12, Ardbeg (lots of great ones!), caol Ila cask strength; all amazing drams!

hint: check waitrose every now and again.......

[daverave999]

I love the peat but Talisker didn't excite me like the others. Might be worth sampling a shot in a pub somewhere?

[celsis]

I hada 30 year old Laphroaig at the SMWS last year. Very little peat! It was a completely different tasting whisky!

As far as the Talisker is concerned, if you like the peat and iodine, I'd go for it!

[Pipe Dude]

Talisker is a fine drop, if a little salty. Got to agree about the 1/4 cask Laphroaig though - it's my go to, along with Highland Park 12yo.

[Maxi-J]

you mean the 10 year I think (there's no distillery bottling of 12 yr as far as I know).

10 yr is ok but, I agree, quarter cask is a significant step up.

I tried a really nice independent bottling of 12 though!

I love all profiles (especially Islays and premium bourbon whiskies).

If smoky/peaty is your bag, and you're spending a bit more.....

Laphroaig 10 yr old cask strength version, Lagavulin 12, Ardbeg (lots of great ones!), caol Ila cask strength; all amazing drams!

hint: check waitrose every now and again.......

Right you are! I guess I'm too used to 12 yr old whiskies!

Even on a more general level though, I find Laphroaig to be far more complex and evolved than Ardbeg. I find slightly less peat in it and this seems to allow for a better appraisal of the myriad of other notes on offer.

That being said, Ardbeg is a wonderful dram! I have the 10 yr old downstairs along with Ardbeg 'Renaissance'. The latter was an absolute steel: I bought it quite a time after the launch of the LE and by then it was going for ?200 a bottle on eBay. I found a bottle in a Bournemouth off-license for ?40! Absolute bargain! And while I was tempted to put it on eBay myself, you can make an educated guess at the end result

The strange thing is that, whereas a French perfumery is alleged to have found 26 different 'tasting notes' in Glenmorangie, I actually find some of the Islays far more elaborate. I haven't tried Lagavulin yet, but I'm sure I'll get round to it!

Yet as much as I do enjoy a good Islay, my favourite whiskey has to be Highland Park 18. Not cheap, but that is some whisky!