I was keen on last year’s smokiest reserves release, but this year’s was just as intriguing, a step in the opposite direction. The hope is that the more lightly peated malt lets some other elements of the spirit come through or shine brighter than at their standard peat levels. Also, I like the jellyfish.
Minutia: Matured for 11 years in ex-bourbon and ex-wine casks and drawn from their least smoky stock. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.
Color: Burnished; 1.1.
Nose: Appley malt. Subtle autumnal, woodsy notes. Mineraly and cured meat.
Taste: Smoke, spice, sweet.
Finish: Woody spices, chocolate.
This is very, very nice. This is up there. It doesn’t occupy the same tier as the 8 year old from 2018, but it’s one of my favorite Taliskers I’ve had, and another one I’m upset I only got 200ml of with a much smaller picture of a jellyfish than I’d have if I bought a full bottle. I really liked getting some of the malt coming through here that is presumably hidden by the peat in typical releases.
Score: 86
Musical Evocation: Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc.”
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