Whiskybase

Talisker 08-year-old

Overall rating
86.28/100
votes
399
Whiskybase ID
WB186598
Category
Single Malt
Distillery
Bottler
Distillery Bottling
Bottling serie
Diageo Special Releases 2021
Bottled
2021
Stated Age
08 years old
Strength
59.7 % Vol.
Size
700 ml 750 ml
Bottle code
L1104CM005
Barcode
5000281067216
Added on
29 jun 2021 8:15 pm by LeChiffre
UncoloredNon-chillfilteredCask Strength
Talisker 08-year-old
Photo by Whiskybase Shop
Talisker 08-year-old
Photo by Whiskybase Shop
Talisker 08-year-old
Photo by thebase
Talisker 08-year-old
Photo by cjl70

Average value

€ 107.50

Found 109 online shops. Lowest price:

£ 86.00
gb Master of Malt £ 89.95
nl Whiskybase SHOP € 110.00
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Whisky Reviews for Talisker 08-year-old

90 users have left a review for this whisky and scored it an average of 86.28 points

  1. hs305 scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    [November, 2021] Of course I am way too curious about this "simple, abstract and terrific" dram as to let it pass untested...

    ...and I can fully confirm Serge's tasting notes with respect to its "very simple" style. This Talisker is nothing else than another heavily peated pre-mature dram like all the other heavily peated young stuff out there. To me they all taste the same because there are hardly any aromas or flavours to recognise beside their massive wall of peat. If you love extreme peat you will love this dram, most probably. But until now Talisker stood for a completely different profile (complex, balanced and delicate) hence this dram is not a Talisker to me.

    So maybe Diageo is jealous on the success of Bruichladdich's Octomore and Port Charlotte bottlings? To me this edition smells and tastes like a cheap version of these (much more interesting) heavily peated legends.
    • Nose
      84 84
      The colour is pale straw and the nose offers a simple and immature profile like almost all young heavily peated drams I tasted so far, no matter from which distillery. Never ever I could identify any distillery profile in there, let alone Talisker. Yes, this is simplicity at its best (or worst, depending on what you like) - everything is eliminated beside the alcohol, barley sugars and peat. So if you are in for extreme peat aromas only this nose might be great, but if you are looking for something more it is rather boring. To me it is boring, sorry folks.
    • Taste
      85 85
      The taste is about the same: peat, peat, peat, some barley sugars, some spices from the wood - that is it, simplicity pure. I still struggle to find the abstractness Serge is talking about, to me this taste is very real and (un)impressive. It tastes like dozens of other heavily peated young drams too (I just tasted about 50 different cask samples from a broker and all the young peated stuff tasted this way no matter from which distillery). Do not get me wrong: If you like heavily peated malt this taste might be great to you, most probably and this is absolutely okay. But there is nothing special about it, unless you own super-tasting capabilities and find flavours I do not get (or you prefer this "very simple and abstract style" like Serge). Sorry folks, but this taste is boring (to me).
    • Finish
      84 84
      The initial mouthfeel is hot (because of the high abv) and bitter (because of the heavy peat) with an okay-ish coating effect. The finish is long (because of the heavy peat) but does not add any new impressions as with most pre-mature drams. The peat stays dominant and takes no prisoners until the very end. Where is the malt, where are the famous maritime Talisker flavours? Water does not release any new impressions either as it strengthens the anyway overpowering peat only.

  2. Slàinte Mhath scored this whisky 89 points Super Administrator

    There is no right or wrong when it comes to taste, but the hate and confirmation bias this expression received really puzzled me, and I beg to disagree. Surprisingly peaty, briny and mineral, the nose features an intriguing mix of lime juice, aniseed and herbal teas. Sugary and vanilla-driven at first, the palate progresses with white pepper, crisp apples and bitter lemon. Ashy peat smoke, salt and a touch of chili arise, leading all the way into the long and interesting finish. This is a characterful and complex whisky emphasizing everything Talisker stands for!

    RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]
    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      89 89

  3. markjedi1 scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    In 2018, Diageo came up with an 8-year-old Talisker for the first time in the Special Releases (for 85 EUR) and that remains one of my favorites. In 2019 a 16-year-old followed and in 2020 again an 8-year-old (for 90 EUR). That is also the case this year, the so-called 'The Rogue Seafury'. Matured in what Diageo describes as 'heavily peated refill casks'. But in the meantime you’ll have to fork over 110 EUR for this. Isn't that a bit harsh for an 8-year-old, Diageo?
    Oh, what is this now? I know that Talisker is a bit maritime and even somewhat peaty, but also shows a lot of citrus and pepper and this Talisker does not really do that at all. Blindly, I would even rather think of Caol Ila or even Lagavulin. Seaweed, oyster juice, cooked ham and gyproc with a few Haribo bears in the background. Very interesting, but very atypical for Talisker (and I'm honestly not that happy with it).
    On the palate it is clearly very young. The citrus is now ubiquitous, but is drowned out by a bucket full of seawater. The pepper also tries to show itself, but the salt is just too dominant. The peat is also of Islay proportions again so I really don't feel like I have a Talisker in the glass. And if I may be honest: I tastes of little more than salt and peat. What a pity.
    The finish is very long, very warm, very salty and very smoky.
    Blindly, I would never have guessed this is Talisker. And it's very expensive for what you get.

  4. whiskydramo scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      86 86
      Moss, sea breeze, salted lemon, tapped by some white pepper. A wave of pleasant dried fruitiness arrived, which could well be dried sweet potatoes and mango slices. Soon after, butter cookies, resinous, as well as some broiled meat. After a sip, it smelled like roasted sweet potatoes.
    • Taste
      88 88
      Honey, mossy, condensed lemon juice with a pinch of salt, more dirty burnt wood after chewing, white pepper added afterwards. Not-so-sweet white peach and lemongrass appeared near the end.
    • Finish
      89 89
      Sweet peat to start, syrup, white pepper, earth and some liquorice.

  5. Hermes scored this whisky 80 points Expert Senior

    For this price an absolute cheek. Dozens of equally old or younger whiskys are immensely better (and cost significantly less).

    This Talisker is flat without end, there is little that reminds of Talisker and even less that makes a good malt.

    Every new make is better, they have at least a few rough edges. There is neither volume nor a hint of a longer finish, only the nose is somewhat pleasing.

    I only give the 80 because with the many more positive reviews I don't want to spoil the game, who might do the malt injustice with a bad day. But it's unlikely because I tried the Laga 12 afterwards and thought it was great.

    Sorry, Diageo, that's kidding to the power of ten.

  6. Horror_Vacui scored this whisky 82 points Expert Senior

    Nose:
    For me it is more like Islay New Make. Intense smoke, most likely coal smoke. Karamalt. Grain.

    Mouth:
    Slight sweetness of malt in the beginning, very ashy in the mouth.
    Extremely one-dimensional with malt sweetness and smoke.

    Finish:
    Long, smoke and ashes

    82/100

    Conclusion:
    I have now tasted the whisky three times. The same impression every time - an extreme malt, minimalist.
    I like that with young smokers when there is something besides smoke and malt, like citrus fruits or marine impacts. I miss that here.

  7. Testtubebaby scored this whisky 80 points Expert Senior

    Nose: lemon, some alcohol, cooling
    Mouth: Chili ????, sweetness, nice smoke in the background
    Finish: Sweet, always chili, light coffee note, medium length, cooling from the alcohol
    Conclusion: simpler, but clearly structured, whisky ... too easy for the price - in my opinion

  8. Dris scored this whisky 83 points Connoisseur

    This juice shouldn't have been bottled just yet. Harsh, feinty, immature distillate, very disappointing.
    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      82 82

  9. Nazin scored this whisky 74 points Expert Junior

    It's extremely disappointing whisky. Boring, one-dimensional, not at all worth the price. Malt and peat combination, heavy on the malt sweetness, with quite a lot of alcohol.

  10. dram-drinker scored this whisky 87 points Photo Moderator

    Powerful, clean, citric, vanilla - quite straight - water is recommended due to the high abv
    • Nose
      88 88
      Lot of chalk, limestone, citrusy, lemony, minerals, little seabreeze, iodine, hints of vanilla, whiffs of peat and smoke - not bad
    • Taste
      87 87
      Very punchy, oily, vanilla, subtle sweetness, citric, more minerals, limestone, little kippery, lemon zest, little green fruits, little spices and herbs
    • Finish
      86 86
      Long, burning, vanilla, honey, zesty, spicy, pepper - water recommended

  11. Whisky Hamster scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    Very heavily peated for a Talisker, straight as a arrow like most of those Laga 12 cs bottlings. No-nonsense malt which imho is better than last year's failed attempt of a rum cask finish but also does not reach the 2018 version of the 8 in terms of oomph, good cask influence and overally complexity and quality. Very naked malt from great distillate, however in such a combination not worth more than maybe 70 EUR nowadays. Any (old or new) version of Laga 12 cs beats this one out of the water on any given day. And since this one unfortunately, while being peatier, does not have the famed white pepper/chilli catch finish, a good version of the 10 easily stands toe to toe with this one, if not for power, for complexity and overall quality. An impressive entry, but lacks the it-factor. Try before you buy.

  12. WiltChamberlain scored this whisky 89 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      90 90
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  13. grinface scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    The whisky world is divided. Is this now the purest and purest and therefore the most excellent form of Talisker? Or just laziness and greed for money throwing a peaty “new make” onto the market at an inflated price at the age of 8? I cannot resolve the controversy. What I can safely say is that I've never had a Talisker this peated before. And: I tasted it twice and was satisfied each time. So I guess I'm somewhere in the middle.

    Full review, alongside six other whisky from the islands: https://keinehalbendrinks.de/2022/01/26/whisky-island-teil-2/

  14. magic_slim scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    Color: Light white wine (blanc de blanc)

    The peatiness is lovely and delicate. I love it. A perfect whisky for peatheads.
    • Nose
      88 88
      Wow - after being poured into the glass a peaty smell fills the room. Very very peaty indeed. Vanilla, sheep wool, oaky and maritim aromas with lemons.
    • Taste
      89 89
      Very tasty! Bold! Full flavoured peaty mouthfeel and taste. Maritim with ginger, vanilla and oak with pepper coming up.
    • Finish
      88 88
      Medium long with notes of peat and pepper. Remains pleasant in the aftertaste.

  15. peatbogger scored this whisky 85 points Specialist

    For all those expressing disappointment; get over it and get used to it. In stead of Diageo's Annual Special Release, think of it more as Diageo's Annual Oddballs.
    I'm not a huge Talisker fan. I got a bottle of 10 which I've had for years, because I find it nothing more than OK. And if anyone expected something close to the 10 I can understand the disappointment. But come on, this is "Sea Fury", the 10 is "Island in the stream".
    • Nose
      85 85
      Sea salt, rocky sea shore, kelp and peat.
      Dry chalk, mineral, aniseed
      Very well integrated alc.
      This is close to Islay peat, and with the high ABV it is not that far from a Laffy CS.
      Water doesn't change much on the nose, if anything I feel like there's more clean smoke.
    • Taste
      87 87
      Peat, licorice, salt.
      A pinch of pepper, but it's not to hot neat.
      Not as intense as Islay peat.
      Water brings most of it down a little, except for the pepper which seems to intensify.
    • Finish
      83 83
      Everything fades in a +medium length.
      With a little water everything but the pepper gets softer.
      With a lot of water everything but the pepper is gone.

  16. Jackson05 scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    This is pure heavily peated Talisker distillate. Very little cask influence on display. Frankly, kudos to Diageo for releasing such a naked spirit. In a world of sherry “seasoning”, finishes, and a new trend of young bottlings that look more like cola than whisky, it’s refreshing to see.

    For me however, this is a bottle to try a sample of and move on. In the regard it serves its purpose. I feel this style can be had anytime for 1/3 the price. But if you want to see Talisker in it’s natural state, sure.

    That said it’s pretty flawless new spirit. A pretty cool way to experience Talisker and a worthy release I think.

    And since no one asked; I hate these new labels.
    • Nose
      Heavy peat, and new make. Antiseptic, Custard, eau de vie, pear… pure spirit basically.
    • Taste
      New make without the sharpness. Eau de vie. Custard. Lemon and capers.
    • Finish
      New make. Lemon custard, a little floral, distilled pears.

  17. DrunkDude scored this whisky 76 points Expert Senior

    scbp-2162, almost call it Talisker new-filling malt. Unusually young whiteboard spirit, why not hang a basket of blueberries, pineapple, or even a ham in the still.
    • Nose
      82 82
      Low to medium smoky, subtle, chilli peel, cigarette ashes, maltose, slightly burnt wood chips, motor oil, barley sugar, sea water, aloe vera. 82
    • Taste
      75 75
      Original taste, obvious blank, slightly grape pomace spirits, low sugar, double IPA, subtle sweetness like barley, with heavy bitterness, vegetables as the main, bitter pomelo supplemented, with obvious spicy taste. The wine is strong, the oil is strong, and the wine has a low degree of maturity, and the flavor concentration brought by distillation is not remarkable. p73b78
    • Finish
      70 70
      The spicy taste of chili lasts for a long time, with ginger, bitter western medicine, extremely spicy, extremely astringent, and mint. 70

  18. Glenladdie scored this whisky 79 points Expert Senior

    Fortunately only one sample ... I like Talisker very much, but what Diageo is offering here for 100 euros borders on a cheek. The 10 standard is worlds better ... The whisky is bubbly and still reminiscent of Newmake ...
    • Nose
      80 80
    • Taste
      78 78
    • Finish
      80 80

  19. Suevia scored this whisky 78 points Expert Senior

    Inconsequential stuff, bottled too young. Nothing special or Talisker about it
    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      76 76
    • Finish
      76 76

  20. eselsim scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

    Damn, Diageo folks do know how to sell New Make for 100 eurobucks a bottle
    • Nose
      84 84
      Peaty new make, like the ideal campfire baked potato that has a fluffy interior and a crispy skin. It served with toppings such as butter, cheese, sour cream, gravy. Yumm
    • Taste
      81 81
      That nose leads us into the pungent earthy peat flavors with some pickled veggies, sauerkraut, oil and sugar kelp.
    • Finish
      79 79
      Bring me the fire extinguisher, my mouth is on fire. Oh, but the glass of seawater will do the job. You get my point

  21. LeChiffre scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    Not outstanding, especially in view of the price, but also not as bad as its sometimes bad reputation. A powerful, wild, young Talisker. A slightly longer ripening period would certainly have done that well. Unfortunately not really convincing at the price.
    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      84 84

  22. Saftkenner scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

    The current developments at Talisker make me frown. The abolition of the beloved 57 ° North and here now a bottling that almost corresponds to the horror factor of the label image. Almost outrageous to bottle something at this stage of maturity, especially at this enormous issue price.
    • Nose
      82 82
      Not as smoky on the nose as I had expected from the few years of maturity. Quite maritime, salty, mineral, a hint of vanilla but also fermented light fruits.
    • Taste
      80 80
      Strong, sharp start - that goes beyond the usual chilli catch. The smoke is very present here and an above-average acidity spreads in the mouth. Cold smoke, unripe green fruits, strong citrus notes, minerals and strong oak.
    • Finish
      80 80
      Smoky, medium-long, very tannic finish.

  23. Vmarcinv scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    Maritime, quite spicy, In my opinion its some later refill bourbon, a lot of smoke as on Talisker, citrus zest, very correct but no to compare with DSR 2018

  24. galg33 scored this whisky 86 points Member Senior

    Nose: A nice stride on the beach with wood fires nearby, or as we often call those: “Coastal” – not something you don’t come to expect from a Talisker, right? It’s got a briny touch to it, with earthy peat and soot, as well as remnants of ash, and a sprinkle of black pepper – Talisker DNA all over. Quite young and ‘bare’ no sherry and not a lot of wood, but enough to balance the peat/soot/ earth with vanilla biscuits, and hints of icing sugar along with minerality and damp oak. Further nosing reveals a fruity touch as well, that hides behind the earthy peat and Seabreeze.

    Palate: Quite an entry! I am getting a lot of sweet cotton candy, then immediately it becomes smoky and spicy with vegetal notes, licorice, and aniseed, salty chocolate, and more earth, soot with a leafy/green touch, there’s also some saltiness and maritime / minerality but on the backdrop.

    Finish: coastal, with Seabreeze, distant smoke, and earthy peat goes on a fairly long time.

    Conclusion:

    A nice young-ish, peaty, and brute Talisker, even if not ultra complex, but at 8 years old, this delivers what it promises to be, the 2nd peatiest of the bunch, and certainly a nice example of feisty Talisker pepper earth and peat alongside maritime notes.

  25. Wolfe Tone scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    More heavily peated, more briney and less peppery than usual. Almost like an Islay whisky. Good but not what I look for in a Talisker.

  26. Bowmore Axel scored this whisky 13 points Connoisseur

    Cask strength is good. But needs water.
    Sweetness from the ex-Bourbon cask.
    Slightly light fruit and nicely salty.
    10 more years in barrel would have been great
    well done. Half the bottle is enough for me
    I have shared out.
    Another one will not follow.
    I will open it again in winter.
    Then he will definitely get better grades.

  27. Squinugie scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      85 85

  28. Calmar scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    Obviously young, but very well-knit and perfectly balanced whisky, solid with a pronounced character, a good palette of derivatives and some depth is already present, on the whole a pleasant, classic peaty release.
    • Nose
      Open, dry, lemon peel against the background of smoky peat notes, mineral shades - salt, chalk, stone dust, lime; light animal tone, fried vegetables, smoked fish, dry seaweed;
    • Taste
      Soft, rich, oak, peppery wave, fatty oil tones, smoky peat shades, sweet creamy caramel notes, salt, leather goods,
    • Finish
      Spicy, warming, velvety smoky peat tones - burnt branches, coal, sourness of ash; lemon zest, sweet creamy notes, toffee, oily undertones.

  29. bakerman scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      83 83
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      85 85

  30. Tomatin1980 scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    Just a good, straight forward, peated island whisky. The name Special Release starts to diminish quite a lot. For example, it seems that the stories are gaining in importance, and the whisky is of secondary importance. All fine, those beautiful artworks on the bottle and tube, but I'm sitting here with an overpaid whisky in the glass. I'm not unhappy as I like young peaters, but this edition was not as exciting as the previous 8 year olds from 2018 and 2020.

  31. juju cassoulet scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    A very peaty but too young talisker. No interest.
    • Nose
      86 86
      Peat, burnt rubber, powerful
    • Taste
      83 83
      Integrated alcohol, very young distillate.
    • Finish
      82 82
      Sweet.

  32. zxcvzxcvmm did not rate this whisky Newbie

    Smells like iodine, but that's weird
    I think the scent is much weaker compared to ragabulin.
    Feeling like a mixture of iodine and sea scent?
    It seems a little closer to the smell of the sea.

  33. the_muskox scored this whisky 78 points Expert Senior

    I’m disappointed. The whisky certainly delivers on its premise: it’s by far the peatiest Talisker I’ve ever tried, at the same peat level as very strong Islays. It’s also the saltiest Talisker I’ve tried so far. It’s not a bad whisky, but instead of being richly complex and balanced like my favourite Taliskers, it’s just a peat+salt bomb and not much else besides. The salt and peat flavours seem exaggerated, almost grotesque. I guess that was the idea. It’s not all that far off from the inaugural Torabhaig to be honest, but with an oilier texture, much less sweet, and much more savoury. I honestly kind of expected not to love this, but it’s still a drag to have been right.
    • Nose
      It’s smoky, yes, but it’s bracingly salty. Crashing waves, smashed rocks, and ashy campfire. Nutty flavours of black sesame seeds and wood-fired pizza oven, as well as savoury spice notes of cumin and turmeric. Subtle greenish fruity notes of pear, honeydew, and cold salted cucumbers, which get stronger as the whisky rests.
    • Taste
      Oily texture. Arrives richly smoky and salty, with smoked almonds, banana funk, and cooked sugar. Green vegetal smoke, grilled peppers, and green apples. Brackish mud and salt-marsh funk, with more rock dust and turmeric.
    • Finish
      Medium-short. Intense salt and savoury smoke. Strong salted nuts, ocean-soaked wool sweaters. Sweeter notes appear as the flavour fades, crabapple and light brown sugar.

  34. d1scostu scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      89 89

  35. JNuyts scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      84 84

  36. karloff scored this whisky 81 points Specialist

    This was a sample courtesy of Peatbogger.
    If I had payed £30 for this, absolutely fine, nothing ventured nothing gained.
    I probably wouldn't buy it again and stick to the ten.
    If I had payed some of these prices for it I would be gutted.
    • Nose
      79 79
      Not as potent as I was expecting it to be.
      The peat seems subdued an so does the pepper
      Nothing is really jumping out.
      I remember scraping out horses hooves,I get that.
      With a few drops of water the nose just gets further away.
    • Taste
      82 82
      This doesn't taste like 59% to me, more like 49.
      It doesn't have that peppery spice Talisker is famous for.
      Still it's not bad, sea salt, brine and Fisherman's Friend cough sweet.
      With water it brings out a few fruit notes and you start to see shoots of the pepper spice.
    • Finish
      81 81
      A long finish with plenty of spice that tingle the mouth.
      With water the finish turns to liquorice root but the tingle remains the same.

  37. ConvalRen scored this whisky 82 points Connoisseur

    At least this year's release isn't some weird rum cask oddity. Somewhat balanced yet missing elements of the known Talisker. The distinctive profile is lackluster and diminished. Too young to be bottled, but that decision lies within Diageo.
    • Nose
      81 81
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      81 81

  38. mackie_gm scored this whisky 86 points Member Senior

    It may be technically good, therefore a relative good note, but I did not enjoy it too much. Sharp, immature, nervous. Lemons, ginger, chocolate-sweetness and some halfway nice woody notes (balsa). Quite heavy peat and white-wine-y finish. Lacks the Talisker character that even the 10 usually has, could just as well be an immature Caol Ila or even Lagavulin from the Classic Of Islay series.
    Add to this a horribly cheesy comic-monster design and a price too expensive, and it's 2 leagues below the great 2018 8 years old. Technically still better than the usual too sweet and weirdly finished average stuff of today.

  39. Stanzeflasche scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    Salt breeze. The spray whips the face, the foam licks the boots. Tons of iodine. Lemon vanilla drizzle. Nice smoky peat, but also very marine. Heather, lichen, mossy grass. Seawater. Kelp, seaweed. Oysters, boutargues, whelks. Crabmeat. With the addition of water, it's even more costal, it's very intense. On the palate, same profile, barrels of kelp, foam, seaweed, seawater. Then come the spices. Lumpfish eggs, sea urchins, brine. Finish that crushes everything in its path, very long, always well marinated and brined. A very strong wave which beats down on the coast, which wipes the beach. A little sand. Coal. Oak leaves, wood.
    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      90 90

  40. Puszkin1988 scored this whisky 75 points Expert Junior

    Worst Talisker I've ever drank. Distillate, smoke sugar. Nothing else

  41. Gregorsky scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      86 86

  42. JimJaws scored this whisky 83 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      83 83
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      82 82

  43. tancerz11111 scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  44. benbenjim scored this whisky 97 points Member Senior

    Very balanced. The smoke mixes with the sweet nuances and leaves you wanting more

  45. Макс scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      85 85

  46. Larry411 scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    Is this a whisky, or a whisky flavoured salt-lick? Aside from the whopping amount of salt, there's lemon meringue, a hint of black and white pepper, and a hint of agave. The ABV mixes well and is non-obtrusive. As a comparison:
    Talisker 10 = 86
    Talisker 8 2020 = 87
    Taliskter 8 2021 = 85

  47. JacobaEd scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      84 84

  48. lviz scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    It's nice, when a whisky meets a relatively inactive cask, and the long maturation will shows you a spirit driven malt whisky. It's also could be nice if there is an active cask and it works together with the spirit, and you get a nice dram even the whisky is young. But inactive cask and 8 years? Even if it's bottled at cask strength, it could not solve everything even we have a very nice spirit.

  49. Simo scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      89 89

  50. Whiskylifestyle scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      Lingering peat and loads of it. Seashell and oysters. A briny note and also chalk. Later also vanilla.
    • Taste
      Again lots of peat. Ashes and seawater. Lemons and vanilla. Chalk here too.
    • Finish
      Mid-long with more peat and ash, chalk and a touch of black pepper but lemons too.

  51. TP_Wtr scored this whisky 83 points Expert Senior

    I can't think of too much about this bottling. Peat, smoke, sweet malty notes, a bit of pepper, that's it. For me personally much too expensive for what it delivers. I wonder what raison d'être such a malt has as a special release? But I'm not a whisky connoisseur either.
    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      83 83

  52. Hvdree scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      84 84

  53. WhiskyCasual scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    Uh, tasted this one blind and is certainly a very puristic bottling without complexity. You have to like this style though
    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      85 85

  54. zzqfyl scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      91 91
    • Taste
      90 90
    • Finish
      89 89

  55. Izzino scored this whisky 92 points Connoisseur

    So this is a real smoke massacre. No smooth tones like in the previous year. Here it is simply a nostril without warning. Taste very intense, spicy, rough. I would hardly believe that this is Talisker.
    Tony lemon, honey, grass, malt, spices

  56. besar scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  57. DannyDram scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    Peat smoke, citrus, dried orange peel, malt, pepper. Masty, malty sweetness, piquant, one-dimensional, good start, strong body, medium intensity.
    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  58. elipszis scored this whisky 90 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      92 92
      extra salty
      buttery
      tobacco
      seaweed
      lemon
      salty caramel chocolate
      earthy
      fresh wood
      tire
    • Taste
      88 88
      extra salty
      mossy
      honey
      burnt wood
      lemongrass
      dark chocolate
    • Finish
      91 91
      extra salty
      white pepper
      burnt wood
      dark chocolate
      lemon
      medium long

  59. FCBayernMuenchen1900 did not rate this whisky Member Senior

    Finally the first dealer (Berlin Bottle) to offer it at a reasonable price of 79.99 euros. From 150 euros value of goods then with free shipping, i.e. with 2 bottles. I ordered 3 bottles right away.

  60. Expraesi scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      84 84

  61. man2392 scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    refill American oak- heavily peated
    Nose: egg custard, wholegrain mustard, honeyed ham, table salt with vanilla, Swizzels Double Dip, Werther's Originals
    Palate: seasalt kettle chips, salted caramel and seltzer water
    Finish: banana chips and crunch creams

    With water
    Nose: sherbet pips, maple leaf, chewing gum, pickled watermelon rind and banana skin
    Palate: coconut ice and fondant icing, fizzers
    Finish: dried pineapple and tapioca pearls

    Tasted as part of Southport Whisky Club Christmas Diageo Special Releases tasting

  62. sakis scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      85 85

  63. Baanaanaabob scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    Coastal peat, citrus, vanilla, very sharp, does the job, very nice

  64. Foudos scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      87 87

  65. WhiskyPEATer scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  66. KayMeertens scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      85 85
      Mainly peat. Mint too. Whiffs of lime, grass, caramel, limestone, smoked meat and bread.
    • Taste
      85 85
      Young and peppery. Peat, vanilla, gingerbread and lime. Slightly dirty.
    • Finish
      87 87
      Peat, caramel, vanilla sugar, gingerbread and apple.

  67. Killswitch scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  68. MaroFF scored this whisky 91 points Expert Senior

    Super whisky!
    It is true that at the beginning of my contact with this drink (the smell), it was at best good, but not outstanding, the rest of it is without any inconvenience.
    First of all, we have a sweetness bomb with very fruity accents (I like that).
    A nice, wonderful and pleasant whisky with a finish that would seem to slightly spoil the whole thing at the very beginning, only to explode after a while and show all its great qualities. I am enchanted with this whisky and I am glad that I bought it.

    One little point on my part.

    Drink original, do not add water !!!
    • Nose
      90 90
      vanilla, red berries, smoked plums, undergrowth, sea breeze, campfire ash, a bit of iodine
    • Taste
      91 91
      sweet, oily, quite fruity, boiled apples, plum jam, orange peel, apricots, delicate saltiness at the end
    • Finish
      91 91
      quite long, pleasant, vanilla slightly spicy in the initial stage, plum jam at the end.

  69. geriud scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      84 84

  70. Mane140486 scored this whisky 88 points Expert Junior

    The nose is smokier than normal Taliskers, followed by hints of sea water, algae, iodine, salt, oysters, chalk and sweet notes of vanilla and sponge cake.
    Palate: Very clean, sharp ,. Very clear notes of peat, smoke, bonfires on the beach, then pepper, lemon juice, brine and heather.
    Final: long, consistent with the palate ... really good, it wins hands down compared to last year.

  71. nallacam scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  72. Glenrothes1973 scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    This is a naked Talisker. Extremely naked. It comes out of the (freshly opened) bottle raw and immature, which might explain some of the more criticizing reviews here. But pour the whisky below shoulder level, and wait a few weeks, and it will develop into an addictively tasty and pure Talisker. It doesn’t even need much water, although I prefer to add quite a lot, myself.

    If you are a fan of cask-driven whiskies and all these modern 1st fill overcoats (finishings), this whisky is not for you. But if you can appreciate a fine distillate in all its glory, you might want to try this.

    Me, I’m just glad my bottle is more than half-full at this point and I also have a back-up bottle!
    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  73. zzs0529 scored this whisky 86 points Expert Junior

    It’s very simple and straightforward, and it’s not even like Teska’s young peat wind island wine.
    • Nose
      85 85
      Smell the fragrance: early in the morning, the fishermen by the sea have just returned from fishing, sea water, peat, oysters, steaming lemon tea, and some minerals. The sweet morning mist is the smell of islands and the smell of peat;
    • Taste
      87 87
      Entrance: The taste is very impactful. It is also a lot of lemon juice, salt water and peat. It is a bit like drinking a cocktail or a high number of Chablis~ The minerality is very prominent. Funny~
    • Finish
      85 85
      Final rhyme: The aftertaste is long, it feels like white pepper is sprinkled on the bacon, and more peat smoke stays on the tip of the tongue.

  74. P.A.O.K.you_are scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      87 87

  75. Kensay scored this whisky 83 points Expert Senior

    It is difficult to call this release successful. Much smoke and immaturity

  76. gaboruso scored this whisky 83 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      82 82

  77. valasios scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  78. Simon Stood scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    Diageo is the most successful release of this series.
    Youth is not felt, dense enough, soft peat not bulging, light sweetness. Sufficiently drinkable at high strength. 22-22-22-22

  79. 33rdCASK scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    Warm reviews from critics, coupled with the consistently high rating of Talisker 8yo from the 2018 Diageo Special Releases line, pushed me to expect and hope for future G8 releases ...
    In the 2020 release, I liked the design of the tube with the image of seaweed, but the contents of the glass, alas, did not cause any emotions. This year, I will not hide, some pretentiousness at the moment of opening the bottle also took place. On the fact of what happened, I can explain the following.

    I liked the tuba again, this time with a sea dragon emerging from Talisker Bay. Beneath the dragon is the life-affirming inscription "unbridled Scotch whisky, cheeky and salty." Below, the manufacturer notes that for the release of this release, he shook off cobwebs from barrels containing their smoky spirits. On the reverse side of the tuba there is a marketing legend and not a word is said about the combination of these same barrels. Although the pale straw color of the drink suggests that the sherry component is not present in this blend.

    Aroma. At first, the smoke started to tear my eyes and I preferred to retreat to the side of the refrigerator in order to refresh myself before plunging into myself "unbridled whisky". After 20 minutes, I returned to the glass. Tali's fresh sour-smoky recognizable profile, charcoal, prunes, a worn leather belt, and even for a second slipped Soviet Monpassier candies, those that were sold in a round tin can.

    Taste. From 59.7% abv, the receptor papillae slightly affected, the sensations were similar to those when you touch the tip of the tongue of the contacts of the Crohn's battery. With the second approach, the buckingness of the dragon Tolik faded a little and the scales began to tilt into the comfort zone. A few drops of water definitely softened the general perception and somewhere even some new semitones began to slip, but this did not last long, the drink continued to demonstrate its assertive simplicity and monosyllabicity with each subsequent approach.

    The aftertaste seemed long, apparently due to the increased strength, without frills, accompanied by general smoky anesthesia of the oral cavity. But what I really liked very much was the aroma of an empty glass, it reminded me of bread fried over a fire, which my friends and I ate up to heartburn as a child.

    Summing up this swim with a dragon, I again remembered Arshavin's brilliant statement about "your expectations are your problems." Nevertheless, in comparison with the previous eight of 2020, I found this one more interesting. I was not lazy and raised my archives. 2018 - 88 points, 2020 - 85 points (for some reason, there was a feeling that I overestimated then, a year ago), and I rated the current release at 86 points. Then he was not too lazy for the second time and looked at what his colleagues from the countries west of Kaliningrad wrote about him. All as one notes its simplicity and excessive dominance of smoke. Strange people, they could have gone to the refrigerator before ...
    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      85 85

  80. Funtik scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

  81. Tuco1972 scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      87 87

  82. Luigisim scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    Unusual intriguing edition.
    Pure distillate, sort of smoked grappa
    Much more peated than usual Talisker
    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  83. GIORGOS scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      88 88

  84. KO73 scored this whisky 89 points Newbie

    Initially I was a bit underwhelmed, found it a bit generic. Now after its been open a few weeks and with a good bit of water it has won me over and is starting to really come into its own.

  85. Patrick93 scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      87 87

  86. Fight65 scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    One of the smokiest Talisker with a lot of cowshed!
    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      88 88

  87. WantsWhisky scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  88. avason scored this whisky 84 points Member Senior

    Simple but enjoyable malt, drinks surprisingly easy for such a high ABV. I could see myself regularly drinking this if it wasn't for the outrageous price
    • Nose
      83 83
      Wood fire, peat, mint, coastal, far less alcohol burn than I expected
    • Taste
      84 84
      Oily body, smokey and spicy, some sweetness, lemon, salt,
    • Finish
      85 85
      Long and building, sweet, some smoke and pepper with a cool, fresh finish

  89. Hlektrion scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      88 88

  90. Ficelli scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      87 87

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