“Not So Red Hot Chili Peppers”
Whisky Review # 1065
Country: Scotland 🏴
Region: Highlands - Islands - Skye
Brand: Talisker 2021 The Distillers Edition
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: Around 10 Years
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 57.3% (Cask Strength)
Maturation: New USA Oak with a finish in Amoroso Sherried USA Wood
Chill Filtration: Yes
Maturation: New USA Oak with a finish in Amoroso Sherried USA Wood
Chill Filtration: Yes
Price Range: US$ 60-75 (April 2025)
Price/Quality Ratio: 👍 Good
Price/Quality Ratio: 👍 Good
Buying Advice: 😐 I prefer the regular 10 but this is not bad as well
Colour:
Golden with shades of Orange (Artificially Coloured)
Nose:
There's a bit of Alcohol around so please refrain from Nosing in the middle of your glass. Allow this Talisker some air before nosing as well. It's quite Sweet and the Amoroso Finish is noticeable. Lots of Dried Fruit and Green and Coastal notes. The Peat and Smoke are not at all dominant and blend in well with the other Aromas. It is a little Young and Dirty but not unpleasant.
Main Aromas:
Sweet Barley, Toasted Grains, Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Salted Caramel, Dried Fruit like Sultanas, Raisins, Plums and Apricots, slightly Dirty Coastal Peat, Smoke from a Distant Fire, Pork and Shell-Fish on the BBQ sprinkled with Lemon & Herbs, Brine, Old Tarred Driftwood, Wet Grass, Grapefruit, Pepper, Aniseed, Mint and Milk Chocolate. Charred Pineapple after a while.
Sweet Barley, Toasted Grains, Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Salted Caramel, Dried Fruit like Sultanas, Raisins, Plums and Apricots, slightly Dirty Coastal Peat, Smoke from a Distant Fire, Pork and Shell-Fish on the BBQ sprinkled with Lemon & Herbs, Brine, Old Tarred Driftwood, Wet Grass, Grapefruit, Pepper, Aniseed, Mint and Milk Chocolate. Charred Pineapple after a while.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Vanilla, Demerara Sugar, slightly Sour Berries, Apple Vinegar, Wet Forest Floor, Ash, Leather, Salted Peanut Butter, Dusty Shelves with Old Books and Floral notes.
Vanilla, Demerara Sugar, slightly Sour Berries, Apple Vinegar, Wet Forest Floor, Ash, Leather, Salted Peanut Butter, Dusty Shelves with Old Books and Floral notes.
Mainly Sweet but with some Bitter, Sour and Salty notes for balance. It's a little on the Young side and a bit Edgy. I miss some body as well but overall it's certainly not unpleasant.
Main Flavours:
Sweet Barley, Salted Caramel, Dirty Peat, Smoke from a distant Fire, Bacon, Fish and Shell-Fish on the BBQ sprinkled with Lemon and Herbs, Charred Oak, Berries & Grapefruit, Dried Fruit like Raisins, Dates & Apples, Roasted Nuts, Dark Chocolate with Orange flavor, Pepper, Aniseed and Mint/Menthol.
Supportive Flavour Accents:
Honey, Demerara Sugar, Toffee, Vanilla, Hospital, Ashes, Burnt Heather and Cigar Smoke, Apple Vinegar, Dusty Track, Cherry-flavored Cough Syrup, Leather, Forest Floor, Espresso, Cinnamon, Yellow Mustard and Grilled Pineapple.
Middle-Long and mainly Bitter Sweet but also presenting Sour and Salty notes for balance. It's Oily but at the same a little Thinner than I expected given the strong ABV. It's a little Rough with some Talisker Chili towards the Medium-Dry end. I also find Sweet Barley, Toasted Cereals, Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Dirty Peat, Smoke from a distant Fire, Ashes, Salted Fish on the BBQ sprinkled with Lemon, Roasted Nuts, Dried Fruit like Sultanas, Apples and Raisins, Apple Vinegar, slightly Sour Berries, Grapefruit, Dusty Road, Dusty Casks, Wet Rocks, Bitter Chocolate, Espresso, Mint, Licorice, Cinnamon, Pepper and Leather. Charred Pineapple is back after a while.
Drinking Advice:
Added Water leaves this Talisker very dull & thin despite the high ABV. Better enjoy it neat.
Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)
Nose: 7.5 - Taste: 7.5 - Finish: 7
*** Important Note with respect to Rating.
If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.
Conclusion:
Talisker was founded in 1830 and is part of the Diageo Group. It produces around 3.5 Million litres of Alcohol per year. The core range consists of the the NAS Skye and Storm, the 10, 18, 25 and 30 Years, The Distillers Edition and Port Ruighe.
The 2021 Talisker Distillers Edition is Young, Mellow, Modern & not Unpleasant. But I don't really want that from Talisker. I want the fiery Peppers from the 10 Years or the mature balance of the 18 Years. Those two are certainly amongst my favorite peated Single Malts. This Distillers Edition 2021 is not but it's not a bad place to start your adventure with peated Whisky. And it's pleasantly priced!
Cheers! 🥃
Jan van den Ende May 1, 2025
