Talisker 10 Year Old Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Another that should need no introduction. The thing to look for in Talisker, as with all smoky whiskies, is sweetness that gives the requisite balance to the drying effect of smoke. Underneath Talisker’s smoke, which ain't as all-pervading as Lagavulin, is a sweet pear-like quality. When young there are notes of the land: heather, moor, sweet seaweed, and a finish that has a distinctive cracked black pepper hit. (DB, Summer 2012)

The piquant nose offers immediate and stunning notes of sea salt, peat reek and black pepper; aeration time encourages deeper aromas including malt and almond. Palate entry is malty sweet and nicely peppery, then at midpalate the peaty iodine character kicks in. Finishes well as it gives off fiery, peaty/tobacco-like flavors. *Best Buy* (PP) (6/2006)

A wonderful, award-winning Island malt bottled at above-average strength with a comforting, smooth afterglow. If you're new to Talisker don't pass up the Talisker 10 — it's an enjoyable reference point, a benchmark single malt that's also unmistakably one of a kind, with a warm nose, a surprisingly thick, oily mouthfeel, and ashy peat that doesn't really kick in until the finish.