Top 20 Whiskies of 2019

#13 • Talisker Select Reserve

  • Rank: 13
  • Year: 2019
  • Score: 92
  • Price: $45
  • ABV: 45.8%
  • Style: Single Malt
  • Place of Origin: Scotland (Island)

Part of the Game of Thrones collection, this pop culture mash-up whisky represents House Greyjoy and features its kraken sigil on the label. The whisky sings of the sea, as blasts of ocean spray, sea salt, wet sand, and seashells swirl above undernotes of peach, cranberry, citrus fruits, and blackberry tart. The mouth fills with bonfire smoke, light peat, toffee, black cherry, and peppercorn. The addition of water coaxes out chocolate, light black pepper notes, and citrus. A flourish of allspice, bitter chocolate, more toffee, espresso, and almond on the finish. —David Fleming