This Talisker 10 years old was supposed to be the “value for money” bottling in the Class of 89 tasting.
Talisker 10 years old (45,8%, OB 2011)
Nose: starts on expected harbour notes (seaweed, flax rope, a little iodine) but also on mashy notes (porridge, soaked grains). It wasn’t too bad on its own, but when compared to clean (bourbon) whiskies it was a little unfresh – a kind of mashy character that I don’t like too much. Some slightly sharp citrus fruits.
Mouth: quite oily and rather dry. Lacking a bit of punch. Again a coastal profile with peat, salt and a mustardy sharpness. Kippers. Some pepper (not as much as in other Talisker though) and smoke. Hints of olive juice. Growing warmer with slightly rounder notes (almonds) towards the end.
Finish: not too long, spicy and peaty.
Drinkable of course, but not the high quality we found in the rest of the tasting line-up. The porridgy nose kept bothering me. Maybe other batches are more convincing. For now I’ll have a Talisker 18 years old, thank you. Around € 30-35.
Score: 84/100