Scotch or Bourbon?

[MDL]

Talisker is a great whisky but I wouldn't call it light. Full-bodied, almost syrupy has been my experience with the 10-year-old.

Sarge

Syrupy? I broke open the Xmas Talisker last night and thought it tasted very clean; not claggy or oily. But I only drink whisky at this time of year, so I'm a real novice. I'm probably comparing my memories of the cheap stuff we used to drink years ago.

[Sergeant Rock]

Syrupy?

Syrupy relative to other single malts, yes. It's been a while since I drank Talisker 10 but that's what I recall. Did you have the 8? That may have a different body.

Sarge

[eyeresist]

Interesting to observe the way region affects the answers here. The US surely has the widest range of bourbons available to the general consumer, whereas in an Australian bottle shop (as we call them) there are half a dozen brands at the most, next to a wide tall shelf of whiskey. Also, the US produces its own whiskeys, whereas in Australia it's all imported - very little of it from America.

Lately I've been drinking a lot of John Samson, which is an inexpensive but fine middle of the road scotch. Not too smokey, the way I like it (one brand was so smokey, I kept waking up during the night thinking the house was on fire). I cut it with water, about half and half. It's a knack to dilute whisky so it doesn't burn the tongue, but still has bite and fullness of flavour.

[Sergeant Rock]

Syrupy? I broke open the Xmas Talisker last night and thought it tasted very clean; not claggy or oily.

Your experience with the Talisker intrigued me so I bought a bottle a few days ago.



In fact, it tastes different than I recall (not nearly so individual, syrupy and...weird!). Faulty memory? I don't know...but in Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion he also describes it as syrupy. So apparently I'm not totally "off."    Relative to many other single malts I still think that description holds but it doesn't seem to be as pronounced as once upon a time. (Has Talisker changed since Jackson's and my last taste?)

Anyway, I understand now why you're not getting my description. One thing this reacquaintance has proven though: Talisker is one of the great single malts! I'm having trouble keeping my consumption in check 

Sarge

[Todd]

Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion

Mandatory reading, as far as I am concerned.  A friend of mine brought me a copy back from Scotland in the 90s, and I have referred to it for years.

[Sergeant Rock]

Mandatory reading, as far as I am concerned.

If only for the pronunciation guide 

Seriously, it's invaluable to the single malt lover.

Sarge

[Bogey]

Thinking about the above for my brother-in-law.

or

some Johnny Walker Gold.

[Bogey]

Kind of cool:

http://topten.whatitcosts.com/top-ten-liquors-pg3.htm

[Sergeant Rock]

....or some Johnny Walker Gold.

Don't be cheap, Bill. Give him Johnnie Walker Blue 


Sarge

[Karl Henning]

(* chortle *)

[MDL]

)

One thing this reacquaintance has proven though: Talisker is one of the great single malts! I'm having trouble keeping my consumption in check 

Sarge

Yeah, I'm halfway through the bottle already. Not sure if that one's going to make it to Christmas, let alone the New Year.

[Bogey]

Don't be cheap, Bill. Give him Johnnie Walker Blue 


Sarge

Well, there is this:

http://www.riversidewinemerchants.com/r/products/johnnie-walker-the-collection-gift-sampler?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Feed   

[Sergeant Rock]

Well, there is this:

http://www.riversidewinemerchants.com/r/products/johnnie-walker-the-collection-gift-sampler?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Feed   

That's pretty cool. I wouldn't mind getting that myself 

Sarge

[Bogey]

Ended up getting this for my brother-in-law:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://rpmedia.ask.com/ts%3Fu%3D/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f6/Willett.jpg/250px-Willett.jpg&imgrefurl=http://uk.ask.com/wiki/Willett_Pot_Still_Reserve&usg=__Tt-otTVzhrH7-DcE7yCdBJucm7I=&h=3181&w=2134&sz=857&hl=en&start=41&zoom=1&tbnid=P8FWyVI0TiV0GM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=101&ei=8VvxTvb2L8vmggf8iP2UAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwillett%2Bkentucky%26start%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*%26rlz%3D1I7ADFA_enUS439%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1

[Todd]

I've enjoyed Springbank 18 a couple times now.  Using Michael Jackson type descriptions, I'd have to say it's lightly smoky, a bit oily in texture, medium in body, and a bit salty.  It's also got a spicy aftertaste that's unique among single malts I've had.  Not the best single malt I've had, but it's up there.  Given it's price, I think I shall enjoy it in very small quantities only to make it last a while.

[Sergeant Rock]

I've enjoyed Springbank 18 a couple times now.

Thanks for the review. I'll look out for it. Saw the 16-year-old Lagavulin in a store today. Almost picked it up...perhaps next week. Your Springbank comments make me thirst for something really expensive 

Sarge

[The new erato]

Saw the 16-year-old Lagavulin in a store today.

I'm down to the last third of a bottle of this bought mid December. More refined  and less smoky than their 12 years, which I really prefer. I like my malts pretty rough (in a good sense), with the Lagavullin 12 year a perennial favorite. Before that I finished an 8 year Bruicladdich in November, and a 17 year Port Ellen in October (ridiculously expensive though, bought in a liqueur store in Normandy summer of 2010). Have just started on a 12 year Caol Ila. I'm an Islay guy.....

[Sergeant Rock]

I'm an Islay guy.....

I like all the island malts especially Skye's Talisker and Orkney's Highland Park. But yeah, the Islay malts are special. My favorites: Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg 10 and Bunnahabhain 12 (despite the fact it doesn't have an Islay character. But it is distinctive and quite good).

Sarge

[mahler10th]

I like all the island malts especially Skye's Talisker and Orkney's Highland Park. But yeah, the Islay malts are special. My favorites: Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg 10 and Bunnahabhain 12 (despite the fact it doesn't have an Islay character. But it is distinctive and quite good).

Sarge

The Islay malts have a deep 'peaty' character which is unrivalled - Laphroaig very much so - when you swallow an Islay Malt, you are swallowing the taste of Scotland.  Unfortunately, I have not had a glass of whisky for over 12 years...but I had to get to know Whiskys when I worked at Gleneagles, and in The Duke of Gordon Hotel up in Kingussie, the Highlands.  Not knowing about what I was serving could have lead to claymores being thrust into my belly.

[Karl Henning]

Something one is always keen to avoid.