Talisker 18 Year Old is the older sibling of the familiar Talisker 10, a peated single malt from the Isle of Skye bottled at the distillery's standard 45.8% ABV. It won Best Single Malt at the 2007 World Whiskies Awards.
About This Whisky
The 18 year old is matured in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon casks and European oak ex-sherry casks. The bourbon wood brings vanilla and softer oak, while the sherry casks add dried fruit, body and a little richness. The extra eight years over the 10 year old round off the house pepper and smoke without losing them, so the whisky reads as calmer and deeper rather than milder. It is bottled at 45.8%, the strength used across the core Talisker range.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Dried orange peel, plum and toffee, with sea air and a gentle thread of peat smoke.
- Palate: Smooth and full, with light smoke building to oily, aromatic spice and a touch of dried fruit.
- Finish: Peppery and lasting, with oak, leather and a salty, maritime edge.
Serving & Food
Serve at cellar temperature in a Glencairn; a single drop of water is plenty. The Oyster Shed, a minute from the distillery, sells Skye oysters, and they work well here, as do seared scallops with black pudding or a smoked cheese board.
How to Enjoy
Drinkers who already like Talisker 10 and want a rounder, more sherried version of the same coastal style.
Product Details
Distillery: Talisker
Country: Scotland
Region: Isle of Skye (Islands)
Category: Single malt Scotch whisky
Age: 18 years old
Cask: Ex-bourbon American oak and ex-sherry European oak
ABV: 45.8%
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
Talisker stands at Carbost, on the shore of Loch Harport on Skye's west coast, looking across to the Cuillin hills. It was founded in 1830 by the brothers Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, who had come to Skye from the island of Eigg and leased land from Clan MacLeod. Their plan was not popular with everyone: the local minister preached against the new distillery from the pulpit. It survived them all, and for most of its history it has been Skye's sole distillery. Today it is part of Diageo and one of the original Classic Malts.