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.

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