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Talisker 175th Anniversary

Average score from 2 reviews and 12 ratings 89

Talisker 175th Anniversary

Product details

  • Brand: Talisker
  • Bottler: Distillery Bottling
  • ABV: 45.8%

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@markjedi1
Talisker 175th Anniversary

Talisker was founded in 1830. So in 2005 owner Diageo decided to have a commemorative release: the 175th Anniversary. Maureen Robinson, one of Diageo’s master blenders, composed this whisky with Talisker that had matured for at least ten years, but some casks even go back to the 1970s. Any good? You bet!

The nose starts surprisingly fresh on toffee, mint, lemon and a soft sea breeze. The typical maritime notes are somewhat hidden underneath a soft, delicate sweetness. This Talisker invites to be nosed, like a mannequin wishes to be gazed at. Becomes very fruit on raisins and plums, dried apricots and quince. Baked apples and even a dash of Sauternes dessert wine. Very sexy indeed.

It is quite sweet on the palate, yet a lot more powerful than the nose promised. And there she is, the Talisker trinity: pepper, citrus, salt. The citrus is of the orange variety. Mandarin and blood oranges. Herbal tea, a soft deverlopment of smoke and liquorice. So beautiful and textbook Talisker.

The finis is very long, dark and sweet versus salt, while the smoke lingers in the back.

It is clear that something special was taken out of the warehouses fort his 175th anniversary. What a whisky! I’m sure we’ll be treated to a 200th Anniversary edition in 2030, but that’s a long ways off. Start saving up. And in the meantime, if you can still find it, make sure you enjoy this one.

@markjedi1 thanks for your review. Yep, Talisker 175th Anniversary is a real treat!

For those of us who score more generously than does Mark, this is more of a 95 point whisky. This is the only Talisker which I have tasted which rivals or betters the 18 yo and an "in the optimal zone of flavour" sample of 57 Degrees North.

@Pierre_W

Talisker distillery is the only distillery on the Isle of Skye and was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, sons of the local doctor. It was rebuilt between 1880 and 1887, and was extended in 1900. In 1925 the distillery was acquired by the Distillers Company Ltd and today is part of Diageo. In 1972 the stills were converted to steam heating and the maltings floor was demolished. Talisker distillery is famous for its stills’ swan neck lye pipes: A loop in the pipes takes the vapour from the stills to the worm tubs, so that some of the alcohol condenses before it even reaches the cooler; it then runs back into the stills and is distilled again. This special, limited edition was released in 2005 to commemorate the distillery’s 175th anniversary; it carries no age statement and was produced with an outturn of 60,000 bottles. Apparently some of the oldest component malts used are from the mid 1970ies, while the youngest are at least ten years old.

The nose is surprisingly fresh and sweet. Apricot and caramel flavours are most prominent, followed by hints of prunes and fudge. Soft smoke lingers in the background. A very delicate and refined nose!

The palate is medium-bodied, smooth and almost silky on the tongue. Apricots and caramel flavours are back, together with lemons and oranges. Smoke is barely detectable and mingles with notes of apple and ginger.

The finish is of medium length and fruity. The soft smoke is still there, and a faint tannic dryness rounds this off.

This is an unusual Talisker, very delicate and without the ubiquitous chili kick. It is very well balanced and very, very drinkable. Good to know that the guys at the distillery can also produce malt of this kind. This expression put the distillery back on the map for me – well done!

Sounds nice, and not too expensive $120 USD.

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