Talisker 10 years old Single Isle of Skye Malt Whisky 70 cl 45.8%

Not many whiskies can taste of the sea without ever having sat in it. Talisker 10 Year Old has made that its trademark for decades, and it is still the bottle most people picture the moment someone says "Talisker".

Expert Description

Talisker 10 Year Old is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. It is the distillery's flagship and one of the original six Classic Malts, a series UDV (now Diageo) put together in 1988 to showcase Scotland's different regional styles.

The colour is a shining gold, and the whisky carries a depth and intensity that has made it a standing reference for what an island whisky from Skye should taste like. Since 2021 the bottle comes in packaging where both the glass and the box are 99.8% recyclable.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers smoke, sea salt and citrus, with a sweetness that keeps the saltiness in check. There's also a hint of black pepper hinting at the bite to come.

Palate

The palate is powerful and warming, with smoke, sea salt and citrus up front, backed by a pleasant sweetness. The pepper appears along the way, giving the whisky its signature bite.

Finish

The finish is intense and fairly long, with a distinct touch of pepper that lingers well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Talisker 10 Year Old
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
EAN no.: 5000281005416

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Did You Know?

For more than 180 years Talisker was the only distillery on Skye, and the name actually comes from the estate of the same name near Carbost, not from the village itself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Talisker 10 Year Old

Is Talisker 10 Year Old a smoky whisky?

Yes, though in a more restrained way than many Islay whiskies. The smoke from peated malt mixes with sea salt and pepper rather than dominating, which makes it approachable for beginners and experienced tasters alike.

Should Talisker 10 Year Old be served with ice?

We would rather recommend it neat or with a drop of water in a whisky glass, so you get the full expression of smoke, salt and pepper. Ice mutes both the aroma and the flavour considerably.

What sets Talisker 10 Year Old apart from other island whiskies?

It is bolder and peppercier than most other Scottish island whiskies, which comes from the distillery's unusual lyne arms and outdoor worm tubs. That gives it a more direct, maritime style.

Does Talisker 10 Year Old pair well with food?

It works well with smoked fish, shellfish and strong cheeses, where the saltiness and smoke in the whisky play off the food rather than overpowering it.

Is Talisker 10 Year Old a good whisky for beginners?

It can certainly work as a first encounter with smoky whisky, since the smoke is more spiced than heavy. If you've tried milder single malts before, this is a natural next step.

Why is Talisker considered one of the Classic Malts?

Talisker was chosen in 1988 as one of six distilleries representing Scotland's different regional styles in a single series. See more in our range of Scotch whisky.