Talisker: 30yo 2011release vs 27yo 1985 2013 Special Release
Back to the beautiful Isle of Skye. For nature buffs, I cannot recommend this stunning island enough, but you have to drive out to the remote corners of the island to see sights like these:
These were taken when Skye was suffering the lingering effects of a hurricane that blew out to the US.
Talisker 30yo 2011 release 45.8%
Nose: Beautiful nose, like other aged peaters – much softened but sublimely integrated. Lots of little waxy, mineraled almost glassy notes. The peat and the sea are no long 2 stand out aspects but time has folded them into the spirit in layers of dried grass or greens and salt. Old school character, though clearly not a huge whisly.
Palate: Subtle and complex from the get go. Though presents more salt and dried oregano or is it thyme… well dried something, than on the nose. Mildly sweet peat and lots of little this and thats again, though for its complexity it suffers for want of some octane. Still…
Finish: Medium, shows as a bit weak in the finish. Starts collapsing briefly. But excellent while the show was on.
Too bad about the finish and slightly weaker palate. But in terms of old school complexity, it’s all there. This should have remained cask strength like the earlier versions. Also look at the price on these Taliskers! Is that fair or what.
Talisker 27yo 1985 Special Release 2013 56.1%
Nose: Ah the family resemblance. But where the 30 tends to be leaner and more waxier/mineralled. This one is much thicker, full and oily., in fact still packing a punch. With more than a bit of of the stable, and more obvious dried herbal notes plus dried apricots where the 30 has its subtle minerals.
Palate: Rather big and unbending. Still Talisker-volcanic with this lean white peppery heat. Tends to be monolithic at first but the farminess and wet wood develops. Then it all comes – piles of straw, sea spray, unsweet dried fruit like pineapples and a bromeliac effect, like I’ve just eaten a basket of acidic fruit. Big development here.
Finish: Long, rolling waves of heat, smoking grass and sea spray.
Pretty massive. Huge development. Fantastic whisky. Excellent Talisker. Note – no sherry.
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