This particular bottle that I recently purchased was distilled in 2001 and after being "Double Matured In Amoroso Cask Wood For A Richer Rounder Flavor" for 12 years was bottled in 2012.
Below I have as usual displayed the tasting notes from Michael Jackson's 'Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch' to enable a continuity of comparison - although it is quite possible that if Mr. Jackson were alive today that his take on the above 2012 bottling (versus his 1996 bottling review) would be different in tasting details.
Even though I have now sampled this fine whisky several times I have not quite settled in on a good description of my own. It is however distinctly different from my favorite Talisker 10 year old especially on the opening although it finishes nicely with that Talisker house style of 'volcanic, winter warmer' awakening of your senses. It is growing on me with each successive sampling but it will have to go a long ways to convince to spend the premium above that of the fabulous 10 year old on another bottle.
TALISKER Distiller’s
Edition 12 year old 1996, 45.8% Alc/Vhol
finished in an amorosa sherry cask
On Skye, the island home of
Talisker, there are dramatic rocky hills called The Cullins which has led to some tasters calling Talisker "The lava of the
Cuillins"
Michael Jackson's
Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch comments:
HOUSE STYLE - Volcanic. A winter warmer.
COLOUR -
Rich orange.
NOSE - Distinctly unlike Talisker (in general). Savory fruit sauce. Soft peach. Smokey
and perfumed like a hussy’s handbag. Tingling pepper
BODY - Oily, sharp. Intense.
PALATE - Far better than the nose. A mix of peaty earth, tangy seaside notes and a rich and oily fruitiness
FINISH - Big.
Rich. Spicy. Fruit liqueur.
| score | 85 |
