Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 Single Malt Whisky
Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 Single Malt Whisky
AU$210, 55.1% alcohol, Scotch.
RRP for this special release Talisker is AU$210 but I bought it on special (in August 2026) at AU$110, which puts a different perspective on it; one of the main criticisms of this whisky, in the past, has been its high price tag. It’s labelled as Natural Cask Strength. Bottle label itself is a striking, or at least easily-identifiable, design. It’s matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks (first whisky fill) and ex wine casks.
It has plenty of kick and intensity but, once you settle into that, it’s an approachable whisky. When I say approachable here I don’t necessarily mean smooth; I mean that it’s peaty and smoky but in limited measure only; it’s only marginally medicinal; it’s Talisker so it’s aimed at the peat crowd but it’s a balanced version of the style. It’s otherwise a mix of salt and pepper notes, tempered by creamy vanilla and a carry of crisp stonefruit characters, the latter admittedly soaked in brine. As I sat with this the salt-and-smoke notes pushed further forward but never aggressively. Salty, steel, smoky, gravelly aftertaste is particularly pleasing here.
At the discount price I wouldn’t hestitate. Balance, intensity and finish here are all very good.
94 points – Campbell Mattinson.
