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| Hello, that is considered one of our (virtually) each day tastings. Santé! |
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October 21, 2024
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A trio of Talisker
Now that it’s been introduced that the distillery goes to be rebuilt, considerably like Caol Ila was within the mid-Nineteen Seventies, maybe we may do a really temporary retrovertical tasting, what do you suppose? Let’s not neglect that Talisker had already been rebuilt round 1960-1962 after a fireplace.
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Analcime crystals, a typical zeolite mineral
from Talisker Bay (Place des Minéraux) |
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Tactical 27 yo 1973/2001 (46%, Douglas Laing, Outdated Malt Cask, 264 bottles) 
The precise identify, in truth, was ‘Administrators Tactical Choice’, however Douglas Laing, and later its two branches following the brothers’ break up, have been in a position to make use of the ‘Talisker’ model identify. This Talisker was distilled utilizing barley from Glen Ord Maltings (similar to Brora was), as its personal maltings had closed, I consider the yr prior. Color: pale gold. Nostril: completely lovely, like getting into an artist’s studio with oil paints, charcoal, fixative, turpentine, linseed oil, and outdated rags scattered about. Then, there’s a contact of citron, silver polish, and a few very well mannered seaweed, maybe even a couple of cooked whelks. Mouth: actually distinctive, harking back to the outdated official bottlings (significantly the 8-year-old), with a direct hit of brine, adopted by grapefruit and smoked oysters. It’s full of iodine and ash, and once more, these ‘outdated tubes of oil paint’ come to thoughts. Let’s name it Veronese inexperienced (why not?). End: lengthy, salty, with a definite Manzanilla notice. Feedback: there’s one thing splendidly old school about this, with the peat so completely woven in—it’s part of the whisky, not simply laid on prime, as can typically occur as of late. One wonders if we paid sufficient consideration to Talisker when bottles like this have been accessible… I think about we did.
SGP:465 – 93 factors.
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Tactical 19 yo 1980/2000 (50%, Douglas Laing, Outdated Malt Cask, 348 bottles) 
This one additionally slipped beneath our noses again within the day. To be honest, it was all about Ardbeg again then, wasn’t it? Color: white wine. Nostril: it’s superb how a lot easier and extra simple that is, leaning extra on smoked almonds and lapsang souchong. But it’s nonetheless a really beautiful whisky, little question about it. Pencil shavings, soot, ashes, and sea water. With water: hints of mint leaves, toasted sesame oil, and a contact of Bakelite. Mouth (neat): iodine tincture, sea water, lemon juice, and ashes. Nonetheless excellent, although way more simple than the 1973. With water: a decidedly fashionable Talisker. We’ll see extra of that in only a few moments. A great deal of ashes right here. End: lengthy. Lime, iodine, and ashes, with a little bit of that signature pepper. Feedback: glorious, however I believe it sits within the shadow of the marvellous 1973.
SGP:366 – 87 factors. |
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Talisker 8 yo ‘Tidal Churn’ (58.7%, OB, Stone-spun and re-toasted end, Particular Releases 2024)
I see they’re saying, ‘the barrels’ authentic char layers are polished away by rocks and water, then flippantly re-toasted.’ Sounds fairly techy (AI thought?), but it surely’s certainly higher than a tequila or shiraz end. It jogs my memory of final yr’s very outdated Talisker, the place the ending casks had been uncovered to excessive chilly and one way or the other ‘cracked’. Maybe subsequent yr they’ll play Led Zeppelin to the casks—or higher but, the Oysterband with the pleasant June Tabor. Color: white wine. Nostril: unsure if it’s the therapy that’s bringing out all this fruitiness—there’s pear liqueur and ripe apples—but it surely’s actually fairly fruity for a Talisker, and barely peaty. For now. With water: the maritime aspect surfaces, with sea water, seaweed, oysters, ashes, and some drops of cider vinegar. Mouth (neat): extra maritime now, salty, barely sharp, with loads of ashes and pepper. Very younger. With water: there we go, we’ve arrived at a easy however good younger Talisker. One to purchase by the pallet and stash in a cellar for thirty years or extra. Any volunteers among the many youthful malt followers? End: pretty lengthy, fruitier once more, with the pear returning, some ash, and nonetheless that contact of cider vinegar. Feedback: it virtually seems like a blended malt—50% Talisker, and let’s say 50% Glenkinchie. Actually ‘excellent’.
SGP:655 – 85 factors.
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