93 points
Prima & Ultima Talisker 37 year old 1984, 51.9%,
Dry smokiness, salt, pepper, dried chile flakes, seashells, flaky chocolate, and the old oak of empty bourbon barrels baking in the sun. On the palate, sweet concoctions of lemon curd, oranges, and chalky rock candy are bridged by peppery smoke to an oilier phase of nougat, almond, and seasoned oak, ending with creamy chocolate notes. Talisker has released older bottlings, but these are the last of the casks from 1984. (968 bottles)
Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)
Drawn from the last 1993 casks, there are notes of chocolate-covered cherries, crystalized ginger, seasoned oak, woodsmoke, salt and pepper potato chips, and black tea on the nose. Plenty of European oak influence on the palate, with rich toffee, dried vine fruit, praline, robust smoke, pepper, and clove, though water coaxes out brighter cherry jam flavors. Spectacularly good, even if it plays many familiar old Lagavulin tunes. (642 bottles)
This delivers a highly distinctive combination of fruity, savory, and spicy aromas: damson, cherry, aromatic smoke, and pastrami, with increasing peatiness, backed up by cake mix, dried peel, pink peppercorn, nutmeg, and licorice. The mouthfeel changes gears from sweet to oily, beginning with orange peel, lime, watermelon, lemon curd, toffee, and sherbet, then pivots to peat smoke, orange fondant, red apple, gingerbread, and peppery base notes.
Initially matured in refill casks, this unconventional whisky developed rich chestnut hues after nearly three decades in virgin European oak. An intriguing nose of prune juice, sultana, halva, wood spice, After Eight mints, and caramelized sugar. The palate expresses orange marmalade, chocolate-covered Brazil nuts, cocoa, oak spice, black cherry, and black currant mousse to finish: Refrain from adding water. This is exactly what you want from a series like this. (317 bottles)
Thick spice notes like hickory barbecue sauce on the nose turn sweet over time, with dark chocolate cake, tiramisu, and vanilla pudding. Water accentuates the spice again, Red Hots and brown sugar emerging. The palate is rich and deep; chocolate-covered strawberries, barbecue ash, and a velvety texture. A long and fiery finish delivers earthy flavors along with strawberry jam. A bit blunt at times, but the spice and sweet notes mingle together well.
Grain-forward on the nose, like a grain barn, with lots of robust spice. Water softens it and brings out notes of candied grape. The clean, smooth palate is balanced with fruit, good depth, and plenty of spice. Water unlocks pleasant bitter chocolate and enhances the rye grain flavors. The finish is superbly long, with more spice, grape jelly, chocolate, and coffee ice cream. The cask finishing works superbly—a real winner. Editor's Choice
A rustic and smoky nose delivers dried herbs, cocoa powder, salted peanuts, citrus, licorice, and wax. Where the nose draws you in, the palate keeps your attention with a beautiful creamy texture and notes of oyster brine, anise, peppercorns, candied orange, chocolate, and green olives. A lengthy finish completes the experience, with woodsmoke, mocha, and salted caramel. Somewhat irregular in profile, with undeniable balance, nuance, and intrigue. (400 bottles)
The maturity is instantly apparent, with a nose of chocolate cloaked in old oak and antique leather, but also offers red berries and aged herbs at the edges. Plenty of depth on a buttery palate of chocolate, almond, gooey caramel, vanilla ice cream, and ripe banana. On the finish, chocolate, raspberry jam, and espresso bean. This one has aged gracefully, with perfectly tempered sweetness and depth. Editor's Choice
Earthy scents of grain and old leather against lighter fruit notes of grape and dried figs. The palate is well-balanced, with an impressive mix of fruit and spice, plus dark chocolate and caramel. The mouthfeel is jammy, creamy, rich, and extremely pleasant overall. The finish offers great length and lots of spice at the back end. The spiciness of rye meets flavorful fruit and chocolate—an excellent one. (2,168 bottles)
Tumbling waves of spice on the nose, with pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and spicy oak, balanced with whole lime, kiwi, apple pie, dried raspberry, and a hint of watermelon. Smooth and easy drinking, with initial flavors of dried mango and papaya, then a surge of pepper and clove. Its finest moments lie beyond the spice peak, when the delicious pot still creaminess spills over with vanilla, Brazil nut, hazelnut, cinnamon, and residual tropical fruitiness.
This line of quaffable contemporary whiskies is sourced from across the country, and this expression uses cognac cask-finished whisky from Charentes in western France. Cool white fruit, summer meadow, freshly mowed lawn, lemon zest, fruit-flavored water, and white pepper aromas. The palate is juicy with lemon, creamy vanilla, malt, fudge, and honeycomb, then tangy clementine, cracked black peppercorn, candied orange, and toffee. This is high-quality, refined, and rather irresistible.