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Talisker 12 sherry finish?

Unread postPosted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:41 pm
by Art L
Has anyone out there tried the new offerings from the "Classic Malt Doublewood Collection" ?

What have they done to my Talisker???

As a big fan of Talisker single malt scotches I was surprised to hear that they released a 12 year old offering. At a scotch tasting recently they had the Talisker 12 which was apparently finished in an Amoroso Sherry butt. "Butt" was the right word for it, I thought it tasted terrible. The mix of sherry flavors with the traditional Talisker smoke and spice was just wrong, in my humble opinion.

I am interested to hear from anyone else who has tried any of the Doublewood scotches, particularly the Talisker 12.

Thanks for letting me vent.
- Art

Unread postPosted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:25 pm
by OneCubeOnly
I'd be interested in trying this. You're right though, with the whole sherry-finish routine it either is a slam-dunk or it fails miserably. I love Talisker so much that I can't imagine sherry doing it any justice.

Sometimes sherry adds a layer of flavor like in Lagavulin, but other times it just makes things chaotic.

Unread postPosted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:55 pm
by Brewer
I think I'll stick with the standard Talisker which is one of my favorite Single Malts. Don't mess with something as good as that!

Unread postPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:36 pm
by Dave
I wasn't aware that there was a new 12 yo expression of the Talisker DE (are you sure it stated 12 years old?). I've tried the 1986 version which carries no age statement and agree that the Amaroso finish both lessens the attack and alters the classic LONG finish of the Talisker 10. Personally I'd agree that it's a less distinctive product, but I still enjoy it from time to time.

The multi year Distillers' Edition releases was a marketing ploy by United Distillers to counterbalance other distilleries' marketing of sherry finishing. Not to be outdone, they took their self proclaimed "Classic Malts" (an earlier markeing ploy that proved to be very successful) and added various types of sherry finish.

I've tried the Talisker, Cragganmore, Lagavulin, but not the Oban, Dalwhinnie nor Glenkinchie. These were the six distilleries involved in the project.

The lighter malts (Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie) apparently improve with the treatment. Surprizingly, many also believe the Lagavulin was actually improved with the treatment, especially the 1979 release which garners a very high "score" especially from Michael Jackson.

Consider the Talisker DE as a light sunday morning malt, to be folllowed by the 10 or 18 in the evening! Enjoy!

Unread postPosted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 12:54 pm
by Art L
According to the liquor store:
"Talisker 1992 12yr Distiller's Edition Double Matured. Available in the United States for the first time, this whisky is finished in Amoroso Sherry butt."

Since you're in Canada Dave, perhaps you've seen some different offerings of Talisker than I have?

I tried the Dalwhinnie 1990 15yr Distiller's Edition Double Matured in an Oloroso Sherry cask but it was immediately following the Talisker 12 and my mental state might have been compromised. That being said, it seemed like a good dram.

Unread postPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:51 am
by White Lightning
Actually I had the DE last month and it was actually pretty damn good (if you like Talisker). It isn't sherried to where the whisky can't be recognized or appreciated as a slight variation to the normal product.

Also launched was Talisker's 175th... I thought this was very good (again assuming you like Talisker).

The Distiller's Edition I would caution about was this edition of Cragganmore. Unlike anything I've tasted - not necessarily bad mind you, just I doubt it is what anyone would expect.

Unread postPosted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:06 pm
by Virginia Gentleman
I have a bottle of the Talisker 1992 Distillers Edition but I have not opened it yet. It was recommended to me by several people at the Whisky Magazine forums.