Talisker 10.

This is a distillery I have really struggled with at times. I feel like I should like it based on the peaty coastal promises, and yet every time I drink it I get acrid bitter notes that have a chemical harshness (which presumably what others interpret as the 'chilli catch'. That said, I have enjoyed one or two of their NAS whiskies. It's very much a distillery I approach with trepidation, and I will never throw more than just a couple of quid at trying a dram!

June 2018 - A 30ml sample. Really easy going lots of cream soda vanilla in aroma. Taste is similar with lots of smoky warmth. Decent, creamy, cream soda background. (3.3/79)

Aug 2018 - A 20cl bottle. Simple aroma. Baked apple aroma with light smoke. Taste is spicy, smoked, briney. OK. (3.2/77)

Feb 2019 - From a bottle which had been open a while, to hip flask for something to consume at a wedding. The hip flask sipping experience is certainly the most I've got out of this whisky. Suits being consumed from a hip flask outdoors - not being examined in relaxing surroundings (which is how I like to drink my whisky) (3.35/80)

In the nose Laphroaig Triple Wood in less intense: slightly maritime smoke, slightly sweet, relatively light. Relatively simple but not unattractive.

Creamy-sweet and slightly vanilla in the mouth. Unfortunately also a bit thin.

In the finish a flood of light, green fruits, some lemon and light oak notes (coffee). Compared to typical Islay representatives, hardly any ash. The charismatic Talisker Chili Catch is there, but also rather restrained.
Length: 4/10

As a standard to start with smoky malts, certainly due to the PLV, an institution. Unfortunately, too little complex and voluminous for the ambitious connoisseur. I would rather go for the Islay representatives or the Distillers Edition.

Grade: 2+