Talisker Skye

This is the fifth Talisker I've tried from this producer. The 2021 Special Release 8, 10, 18, and 57 North are already in my collection. All have been outstanding. So, there are high expectations here. The official tasting notes don't inspire confidence, however: "Talisker Skye whisky is perfect for those who perhaps find the classic Talisker flavour profile a bit too much." I think I'm starting to find I can't tolerate people who don't like Talisker. Yes, yes, taste is subjective, blah blah blah. However, sometimes opinions are simply incorrect. Talisker is amazing and shouldn't be toned down for anyone, not even you, grandma. Aroma: Pleasant and approachable. Slightly sweet with a hint of medicinal saltiness. Pear and smoke are subtle and lack the boldness of other classic Talisker expressions. It has a slightly grainy quality perhaps with the sweetness. As it sits in the glass, the sweetness becomes honey-like and sticky, but I don't think it pairs well with the mild maritime smoke. I'm already conflicted. Palate: A bit thin. No notably oily, syrupy, creamy, or full-bodied textures emerge. Mild Talisker maritime smoke with a peppery chili tingle are prominent. A slightly toasty-malty note and perhaps some lemon zest citrus. There's a little fruity, juicy, salivation-inducing element right at the end of the palate, possibly pear. Finish: Medium. Drying with plenty of pepper and a slightly sweet maltiness. The maritime smoke and saltiness characteristic of Talisker are most noticeable here. Ok. The tasting notes were a sufficient warning. This is Talisker on sedatives. Everything I love about Talisker is present, but it's been toned down and subdued. That toning down hasn't benefited any specific texture, profile, or note; rather, it has detracted from them all. I don't grasp the purpose of this. Talisker, you shouldn't misuse your name (or its Skye variants)! Truthfully, it's still superior to much of the cheap liquor out there, but it's a disappointing imitation of what Talisker is known for. Something suggests to me that this is the blended barrel remnants that weren't deemed good enough for the premium Talisker bottlings. Diageo: shade thrown. Whiskey tasting #121

A mild, ashy peat appears first on the nose, followed by green apples, honesty, and vanilla. The entry is sweet and creamy, with prominent caramel and toffee flavors elegantly mingling with the salty peat characteristics. A minty development occurs with a fennel note, and the finish, though not prolonged, maintains the equilibrium between the phenols and the sweet orchard fruit. A tasty, overlooked dram.

Nose: delicate smokiness, a nice clean barrel note, light chocolate, a little fruit in the background. Palate: smooth, light, but a long smokiness with a hint of smokiness, nice barrel, a little fruit. Finish: medium, mostly light smokiness, barrel. Overall: not demanding, but nicely balanced and pleasantly medium-smoky with a pleasant barrel note, alcohol is hidden.

Amber color; On the nose, immediate smoky notes, peat, speck, bacon, oak, slate, iodine, a briny note, cooked pear, nutmeg, cashews, blonde tobacco, a milky nuance, barley, and black pepper; On the palate, it's spicy, well-balanced, smooth, savory, reflecting the nose and somewhat reminiscent of pastry cream towards the end.

A surprising sea taste. This is by far the best I've had precisely because it's so unique. You can't even taste the whisky. This is what made me friends with whisky and encouraged me to explore others.

My parents found it surprisingly sweet, which I appreciate. The aroma is quite sharp but it's very smooth initially then becomes rough (like other Taliskers), with a pleasant long burn afterward.