October 19, 2015

Talisker Distiller's Edition 1992



Spotted this gem on a shelf in a liquor store in Massachusetts a couple of weeks ago and grabbed it for $72.  These older brown label Talisker Distiller's Edition bottles are usually good. This one, distilled in 1992 and bottled in 2005 was a particularly nice example. It was the first year they started doing the second maturation in Amoroso sherry casks and it's no surprise they stuck with this technique and are still using it today.


Tasting Notes


Nose:  Very red wine sort of nose.  Blind I might have mistaken this for one of the wacky Glenmo barrel finishes. There's very little of the trademark Talisker salty sea air.  But there's a whole lot of rancio in it's place!  It's very bright and tangy with medium alcohol present and the sweet and ripe smell of berries and rose water.

Palate: We're moving into an orange marmalade thing on the palate and the medium mouthfeel is driving the jammy point home.

Finish: The finish is sort of unremarkable if well-balanced. The smoke does make an appearance.  You don't really taste it, but it floats in at the end and leaves you with some of that classic Talisker pepper and 'day-after-beach-bonfire' sensation.


Review

These brown Talisker Distiller's bottles are a cool find.  They're still around, and aren't marked up or anything the way errant bottles of bourbon tend to be these days. This one was really a treat. Very big sherry influence for a Talisker and the salt and hints of smoke were buried deep in there.  Considering that the bottle is already gone, we'd say it was popular with the troops!

Cheers/SB

P.S. any requests for our next reviews?  Y'all have been pretty quiet lately, let us know what's popping!

18 comments :

  1. How about an Ardbog review? I still have a store near me where it's available at original retail cost but I haven't pulled the trigger yet and am waiting for a compelling review.

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    1. Hmm good one. We don't have a bottle of Ardbog but we'll have to track down a sample. We do have the Perpetuum, maybe we'll crack that one for a review. Have you tried it? Thanks for the suggestion!!

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  2. I am sure one on Ardbeg Supernova 2014 or Four Roses 2015LE small batch would be on everyone's want list

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    1. Sure but where could we get our hands on a FRSmB??? ;)

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  3. Replies
    1. Ok it's confirmed, stay tuned for Perpetuum on the way!

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  4. Which store in MA? Any left?

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    1. Union St Wines & Liquors in Franklin, MA. Pretty good selection, although I think the Talisker was the last one. Good hunting!

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  5. You have no Springbanks in the review history? A scandal!

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    1. Haha just tried an amazing Springbank sherry cask in Las Vegas. Supposedly one of 500 bottles. Was having too much fun for proper tasting notes, will have to track down that one again! You're totally right, scandalous!!!

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  6. I just had my first ever Springbank the other day, and it blew my mind. I'll be getting more, much more....

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  7. I been totally craving some of those peated Benriach wood finishes like the Solstice 17 or any Ballechin. Hard to get in the States, probably gonna have to order it thru Masters of Malt

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