Review #53 - Talisker Distiller's Edition 2019 Release
Distiller's Edition Mini-Series: Part 2 of 3
The second distiller's edition whisky we'll look at is the 2019 release from Talisker. Distilled in 2009, this was bottled in 2019 at the distillery's usual 45.8% ABV, with no statements about added coloring or chill filtration, as per usual with Diageo.
This release was double matured, presumably first in ex-bourbon style casks, but the second cask type is more unusual: Amoroso casks. Amoroso is a style of sherry with a relatively low volume of production compared to the more common sherry types like Oloroso; actually, it starts as Oloroso sherry, before it is sweetened, generally through the addition of some Pedro Ximenez sherry (the darkest, sweetest, syrupy type that tends to add red fruits and jam to a whisky). With this unique double maturation, we're expecting lots of dark fruit, as well as maybe some umami flavors with the usual Talisker sea salt notes.
Talisker Distiller's Edition 2019 Release
Scotland/Highlands - Single Malt
Current Locally Available Price: USD 100 (2023)
Age Statement: 9-10 Years
Strength: 45.8% ABV
Cask Makeup: Double maturation, finished in Amoroso sherry casks
Details: 2019 release, distilled in 2009
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 1 time; bottle at 70% fill level at of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Full and round, quite rich overall. A dusting of peat to start, and a decent oak note; then it's savory, with some of that classic Talisker saltiness. There's hot sand, a bit of a beach barbecue, and some sweetness like a barbecue sauce. In terms of fruit, it's dark like fig and sweet blackberry, and we finish with a note of pulled pork.
Palate: Quite a bit going on here: strawberry and raspberry jam, along with black currant and some sweet raisins. There is a black pepper kick, and the peat is still more mild, and very coastal. Sweet and savory flavors battle back and forth, but it's generally well balanced; later, we get some sweet sauce, and it becomes slightly more delicate, as well as mildly oaky. The mouthfeel is a medium thickness.
Finish: The finish is medium length, bordering medium-long; some peat and a bit of bitter oak hangs around, though that flavor is soft. Puckering around the cheeks, white pepper, and at the end, a bit of sweet fruity gummy candy.
Final Note: Tasty stuff, we really like the addition of the Amoroso cask element. Great barbecue notes and some dark fruits as well, and there is quite a bit of Talisker's signature sea salt flavor as well, which is always a pleasure when done properly. If available for a reasonable price, we would probably pick this up (or give one of the newer bottlings a shot); we just wish the presentation was a bit more authentic to abilities that this distillery clearly has.
Our Average Rating: 8.0 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 6.78
