Talisker 18 Years Old 2004 Version 45.8% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (90)

A brand new official bottling, that should sort of compensate the fact that the well-known 10 yo became a little simpler, even if still much enjoyable. Colour: full amber. Nose: fresh and sweet, with lots of tropical fruit at first, mixed with some peat and pepper. We’re well in Taliskerland. The first impression is that it’s a little less punchy than the usual 10yo, but also mellower and subtler. Gets very fragrant after a while (rose water), orange water (oriental pastry). Hints of oak, slightly sour (cooked cider apple). A beautiful balance, still. Notes of ginger ale emerge after a few minutes.


Mouth: big, bold and punchy attack – much punchier that what the nose suggested. Lots of pepper, coffee, rather tannic. Gets quite dry rather quickly, on wood, clove, smoke. Not much fruit, except some bitter orange. Gets then really peppery and smoky, with some hints of chilli. Really austere, not for beginners, I’d say. There obviously is some sherry in there, but the winey notes just can’t make it through the smoke. I really like it. Finish: long, on pepper and tannins. 90 points.