ralfy review 903 - Talisker 18yo @45.8%vol: (2021)

[@warhamsterful]

Pretty sure this comment will get buried, but i came across your channel at the start of the first lockdown, I'd never really been into whiskey as a neat drink but your comments on chill filtration and natural colours got me thinking about what i had tried in the past, and yep, so far as i can work out chill filtered. I started looking about for some none-chill filtered / natural colour whiskeys to try. What a journey it's been, thanks so much ralfy, you've opened my eyes to a whole new world of whiskey enjoyment. Thankyou.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . your comment never got buried too deep !

[@WatfordWobble]

I've learnt so much from Ralfy and his channel. Drank whisky for many years but Ralfy has given me so much more in my enjoyment.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

I spent the day on Skye last month. I didn't visit Talisker as I received an email from them that they were not receiving visitors due to work going on. Instead we spent the morning at Torabhaig and then took the ferry in the afternoon to spend the most wonderful three hours on the isle of Raasay. If you haven't been to Raasay yet Ralfy, you MUST go. It's your kinder distillery. I still remember Talisker 10 from the late 1980s and early 1990s that came in the beige box. It was raw, black pepper-y and heavy. I didn't really appreciate it back then, (still at the Speyside fruity/floral stage in my whisky journey), but I would love it today. As you say, the Talisker Skye, Storm, Dark Storm, 10 and 18 are all dumbed down, over filtered and over coloured. The only release which took me back to what I consider the real Talisker flavour, was the wonderful 57 Degrees North. Yes, I know it's a NAS but it has that rawness, freshly crushed black pepper, sea breeze and honey, and when you added water, it turned into what looked like dirty washing up water. Sadly, in their infinite wisdom, Diageo have decided to discontinue the last remaining descent Talisker. I don't buy any Talisker anymore which is why I was excited to get to the distillery, hoping they'd have some Cask Strength natural presentation distillery only bottle.

[@geo5291]

Damn

[@darryljones9515]

Totally agree with you on the 57 North. Luckily I managed to snap up the last few bottles before they finally disappeared from the shelves.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

@@darryljones9515 well done. Good for you. I had the chance as well to buy six bottles but had insufficient funds. I just bought two. Oh well....

[@gaoran6690]

May be it is a good decision to discontinue them, the 57 North is getting worse every batch. I have tried the latest one, it is so raw, literally just like an only three years old whisky.

[@stephenhill6555]

I visited Torabhaig, Talisker and Isle of Raasey this summer also. Really excited to see the direction Raasey go. Such a tasty dram considering the maturity of the origional Bottling. So glad I manage to get two bottles

[@WhiskyMechanic]

Can you believe Tesco used to sell this many years ago? For some mad reason, the Tesco store at Alloa decided to clear them off at half price which was under £20 back then (February 2009)! I purchased 2 and have kicked myself ever since for not clearing the shelf. Oh, for a time machine! It was my first 18 year old and was far above anything I'd had before then. I'd love a bottle to try again now I have a wee bit more experience but, at the current prices, I'll be buying Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength #13 and/or Glengoyne 18 first.

[@apolloguitars]

Ralfy, thanks for the years of deep knowledge that you share with us. Your knowledge and experience is unmatched in the whiskeytube world as far as I’m concerned. Good on ya. Cheers, mate.

[@MrMalimer]

You really are an inspiring observer/analyst of the pursuit of excellence in this field. May it be that more enthusiasts pursue their interests with as much prudence and passion as your display in these reviews.

[@Mitchemus67]

My first real whiskey moment was Talisker while.on holiday at Arisaig, it stuck with me. A long time has passed and I haven't really drank whiskey but thanks to Ralfy and a recent tour of Scotland my love of whiskey is back. Unfortunately Talisker is not how I remember it but it still has a place for me. Just enjoying the Arran 10 for now which is a different league for the price. Thanks Ralf

[@Doddo13]

Dear Ralfy, Ledaig 10 is the most affordable beautiful valuable drink I have experienced in 2021. Can’t wait to know your choice.

[@deccyboi4218]

Good call - was his WOTY!

[@marcwhiskey]

I do like the Talisker I have a distillers edition and the storm. I very much appreciate the cask influence on the DE and it does have a vintage date rather than age statement.

[@scottmcneill6333]

I always love you informational videos. They have opened my mind (and palate) to the finer things whisky related. ALTHOUGH, the closed captions have given me more than a few chuckles if not outright laughter! PS I just noticed somehow the cc was turned on in my settings. But if you want a chuckle, turn them on.

[@alivetoride59]

I’m so jealous. It’s been years since I have had a Talisker 18. I’m no longer able to find it in the states. It’s still my favorite.

[@watercactusable]

Ralfy, regarding the packaging, I see Talisker has recently changed its presentation to something much more colorful (I'm not particularly fond of it). At least, I have seen this in the US. I wonder whether they are taking this 're-branding' opportunity to change the quality of their whisky. Though if they are, I doubt it is for the better.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . porbably.

[@Aqvavitae]

Clicker! Clicker! Clive!!!!

[@Kelprop]

I enjoy the Talisker 10, however I do think that it can be inconsistent 🥃

[@iancrombie8862]

Big comedown from 91..i've gone off Talisker..the 10 i last bought was zub standard.

[@ultimatum2317]

Would love to see a review of the other whisky made on Skye; Torabhaig. I've personally found the stuff to be pretty damn good, but I'd love to hear the 'ralfy review' take on it.

[@ThyCorylus]

A welcome entrance into my working day here in the antipodes Ralfy! Arm deep in paint and looking forward to an evening dram already, it's not even midday!

[@dkoz8321]

Note to self. Add Drive or Ride Isle Of Skye to bucket list. In summer do a car hire of a English roadster or Norton bike. I am thinking a Lotus Elise roadster, or Jaguar F-Type R roadster. Maybe Turo a 2009 Norton Commando bike. Now where to stay, where to stay?

[@MEADVICE]

If I'm honest, my regular tipple is Tesco's oak age at £12 a bottle. I never really feel that I can justify spending a large amount on a single bottle of malt, the main reason, I surmise, is that I don't want spend a lot and get let down by a bad or inferior whisky. Since watching your video's I have been a bit more adventurous, but I admit that the more pricey stuff has been bought in the supermarket when on offer. I recently tried Bowmore in the pub that I work in and followed your advice as to adding water to open it up, so Thank You for that, it was lovely after it had settled.

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Dear Ralfy , I found a small amount of scotch mist in my T18 but I did buy my bottle here in Milan Italy about 7 months ago. Could it be that your recent bottle is a newer batch? I found mine to be full a delicious sea breeze peat and ripe bananas with some ginger but more sultana notes or dark ripen fruit. Thanks 🙏 for the OSWA awards they will surely waken up the indisputable quality that Diageo could produce and stubbornly don’t . Ciao 👋 S.

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Just rechecked the bottle and you are right it clearly states caramel colour added.Blackgrange contains 6 million or so casks, of 28 different distilleries which probably accounts for a generic Diageo industrial style. I hope they rectify the caramel and the chill filtering. It would be better indeed . I will not buy another bottle until they choose to be an integrity malt Thanks 🙏 again.

[@DayKlight]

I just poured myself a talisker 18 yesterday evening funnily. For me it had a heavy lemony taste with some apricot, sage, thyme, oak was verrry subtle (sadly), oily (but could be more), to me it was quite briny, mineraly, (also did a blind comparison), could also be the taste of the day mood. It is a very tasty malt, i just imagine what it could be if unchillfiltered, uncolored, better casks with more oak influence. Great that they state a Wurm tub, but the flavor profile cant even compede with Edradour, a unfiltered, uncolored Talisker would be an exceptional malt, but they would probably want a mortage of your house for it. To me the Talisker 10 is the perfect example of expecting the malt to be something. You expect brine, fruits, spice, but when tasted blind it was for me an awful malt, bland and boring. And for the price policy, thats why i dont buy octomores, charging 200€ for the new 12.3 is ridicioulus, and i do not want to be part of that price policy...

[@Orfix33]

Talisker has always been my staple. The 18 has never let me down but it’s gotten so pricey in the states the last couple of years. When the 10 started doing the orange outline on the label I got a good bottle and one was a stinker. So I’m not sure what to think.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . best to think the producers are totally inconsistent in standards and you should shop VERY carefully.

[@paulcraven4562]

You hit the nail right on the head.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

I was just drinking Talisker Storm last night, with 4 scotch newbies who all thoroughly enjoyed it. And I have the ten and the GOT Edition. But I been meaning to buy either an 18 or Distillers Edition. In due time. All great stuff, cheers! 🥃

[@JazznRealHipHop]

*but obviously not as great as it could be. Shame.

[@damesl1245]

if you can sample the distillers edition before you buy i would recommend doing so, i didnt get on very well with it, the bang for your buck wasnt there imo. I just replaced it with the 10 again. Good luck anyway!

[@JazznRealHipHop]

@@damesl1245 thanks for the heads up! I’ll definitely try it first

[@eurly93]

DE is great if you like a lot of sherry. But it’s quite different in character from the 10

[@damesl1245]

@@eurly93 spot on

[@BeerMakesHappy]

My guess considering the 45.8% is, that an uneven percentage suggests more of a 'handmade' character to the non-maltheads

[@robfut9954]

Ralfy, for perspective on price this whisky is $199 where I am in the USA. Then again we’ve seen massive inflation in the last couple months.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . ouch ! expensive. $118 where I am.

[@ashokmathur137]

Hi Ralfy - I need your advice . I just opened a bottle of Aberlour Abunadh batch 35. I had bought this sometime in 2016-17 and opened it today. While trying to pull out the cork, it broke off and the rest of it was stuck in the neck of the bottle. Even the stuck bit was dry and crumbly , it had to finally pushed in . Then we had to strain the whisky to remove the cork bits and transfer the contents to a glass bottle with a screw top cap. So why do Single Malt makers use such poor quality cork closures ? Since this isn’t the only time I’ve had such an experience, why can’t single malt makers use good quality screw top caps ?!

[@NicolasMD85]

Oh my, this is a bit too harsh, Ralfy really decapitated Talisker 18 in this one. I don't think there should be any frustration regarding the results of the online whisky awards, simply because all the participants out there, including myself, were well informed whisky enthusiasts, of course on the different part of their whisky discovering. This winning resultvfor Talisker 18 shows that most of us are looking for the character of flavor and smell that makes difference between ordinary and extraordinary malt, and although I believe that despite delicate flaws that can be detected only by the real world class veteran like Ralfy here, for the most of us, whisky lovers and enthusiasts, this malt is well above those 85.

[@NicolasMD85]

@Phu Cgmail Far from that mate, I think that this is exactly the scotch that you shoud buy, to build your own experience, your own judgement, to enjoy what is there to be enjoined, and to try to find things that you less enjoy in it. That's the point, I don't think that Ralfy wants us to become one-minded, deeply indoctrinated, blind followers of his.

[@adriannudelman4519]

I agree with you that we should make our own experience and let everyone draw their own conclusions. What Ralfy said is true, he didn't say that label is bad either. What happens is that one expects to get more qualities in an 18 year old product than in a 10 year old one, so the differences can be seen. I drink Talisker10 and I like it. At this time I would not buy a T18, I would go for other options that I have not tried yet: Springbank 10 (2021), Glencadam15.

[@alivetoride59]

I bought a bottle of Talisker 18 yesterday for $189.00. It's been sixteen years since I've last seen a bottle in a store (a specialized liquor store.)

[@geerakkers2060]

Talking about the 45,8% ABV is the old 80% proof. 80×4=320:7= 45,714285 . That's the reason that Talisker has 45,8% alcohol.

[@WhiskyMechanic]

Thank you for that explanation. As usual, that'll be the Diagio marketing people dictating what the whisky should be. It's a credit to the quality of the original spirit that it survives Diagio's ownership!

[@geerakkers2060]

@Joshua Werdiger Talisker 57 Degrees North, cask strength bottling from the Talisker Distillery. Named as such because the Isle of Skye where the Talisker Distillery is located, is on the line of latitude 57 degrees North.

[@davet7185]

Clipped wings, non-integrity malt with suspect advertising (cough......'made by the sea' indeed!). Well Ralfy, at over £80 per bottle my malt maestro, I will be sticking with the more reasonably priced integrity offerings thank you - of which there are many. Your usual candour and informative review Ralfy...... and always appreciated.

[@tussk.]

I stopped buying Talisker when they started trading on their name rather than thier product.

[@gregdankert]

I understand your thoughts on talisker Storm et al- but they are all part of the journey toward learning a distillery - what are they capable of - where have they under delivered - I like this distillery very much - I have enjoyed many of there offerings

[@WatfordWobble]

I naively thought until recently that whisky was matured at the distillery. You mentioned some years ago about Black Grange and to be frank I think it's dishonest to have sea landscapes and such like. I wonder if there is a difference in new made spirits that slumber at the source or in a modern warehouse?

[@rasklaat2]

I love Talisker 10YO. The one bottled in 2005. A malt mention for you, Ralfy: Malfunctioning Misleading Malty Moopoo Merchants - that's Diageo, moopoo meaning BS if you wanna say it politely. They deserve this title for putting "made by the sea" on Talisker. What you say in this film is so true. Thank you for telling us about the Blackgrange industrial estate. Worth noting there are poultry sheds just east from the place. They must be contributing some of the... rural flavours to the mix.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . now on the M-mention List, thanks !

[@bugsymalone1660]

I don’t drink Ralfy & when I did I was never a whiskey drinker but I like watching you taste & talk about whiskey 🥃

[@MrSottobanco]

When did diageo buy Talisker?

[@TheIPA35]

Glencoe 8?

[@timthewhiskynut477]

Any plans to review one of the recent 8-year old special releases Ralfy? The 2020 rum finish or the recent "heavily Peated" 2021 perhaps?

[@Glaudge]

In my still young whisk(e)y experience, I had Talisker as the 10 year version sometime around 2014/15 after being a new whiskey drinker in the states and enjoying the drams of JW black label that I had had before and enjoyed how smoky it was (possibly a caol ila-heavy batch?? my friend also commented 'it's a little bit smokier this time') after doing the obligatory internet research my next bottle of scotch was a Talisker 10 because none of the other blend ingredients were present at what was a very quaint U.S. liquor shop. long story short this bottle was my first experience with WET BAND-AIDS, IODINE, MEDICAL LATEX and hospital-in-a-bottle whisky. I have since had JW black under different circumstances and the ashy campfire taste was no longer present that i had remembered, or was muted beyond perception. I have also since had only Monkey shoulder (drinkable but un-interesting) and highland park 12, sweet and round up front that switches to tart dry apple on the finish, all encapsulated with a mild campfire smoke over the whole journey. HP12 to date is still my favorite out of my very limited experience.

[@kasper8069]

Is there any whiskys “made” by the sea then?

[@calebhenderson]

I love savory flavors. II’ve never had an 18 year old anything, but was quite spoiled by a very wealthy friend who gave me my first dram of single malt ever, which was 25+ years old. I was too surprised (& naive) to even ask for the name of the whisky but the bottle was lifted from a velvet lined case. Was like pure nectar from Heaven! I’ll have to follow up & see if he remembers what it was. Anyway, any suggestions for a great savory or peaty 18 year old single malt? I enjoy Lagavulin 16 but not sure if they have a decent 18 or maybe another distillery would be a better place to start. I’d like to get a good bottle to share with my sons & sons in law over the holidays. Thanks!

[@Matt-fs9tg]

Bowmore if it’s savory you are after. Decent price too.

[@baracudahemi2967]

Ralfy when did Talisker make the switch to non chill filter for the T18?

[@Matt-fs9tg]

Myopically mean spirited misrepresentation. It’s an absolutely belting crowd pleaser for frequent dramming, not a niche crafty unicorn for box ticking malt nerdiness.

[@terjehuse8562]

For anyone who believes that they've got a superb whisky palate, one that will enable them to identify almost any whisky sample, there's only one sure way to decide if that true or not: Blind tasting. Now, for me the same should apply when it comes to chill filtration. Horst Luening, who also has a channel here on YT, made a video about chill filtration some years ago which showed that most people can't distinguish between chill-filtered and non-chill-filtered whisky. I'm sure there are some savants in the whisky industry that can in fact taste the difference - but that's not relevant as far as the rest of us go.

[@christophkiesewetter1871]

Prefer the Talisker 10 over the Talisker 18, but that is often the way I go with peaty malts. The younger peated whiskys are mostly the better choice for me. Anyway, Talisker 18 is a very good malt, but the Talisker 10 costs 90€ less! And there isn't lot of difference for me, to justify that price difference...

[@RwingDsquad]

Thank you. bought it.

[@ironmantran]

... "made by the sea-(side) " a play of words, perhaps, some doubts, maybe . . . fast forward 1 yr and it is 190 UKP ! ! ... time to explore some good rums . . . or return to some blends. ---------------- or bloody hell vatt my own !

[@newhey]

To be fair Ralfy, Blackgrange warehouses are next to the Forth which is still tidal at that point, so it's technically matured by the sea 😉

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . true.

[@graham2954]

made by tullibody doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

[@davidm_shaw]

To your mind, Ralfy, what is the best value 18y/o integrity bottling? Looking to up my game since I’m yet to go beyond a 16y/o in my whisky journey.

[@manuelnaranjo3255]

Try Glencadam, Glen Scotia and Arran (at a reasonable price, it started to climb up). All depends on your region

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . Arran.

[@davidm_shaw]

@@thewhiskybothy, thank you for the tip. Almost impossible to find in Australia, but I'll give it a go.

[@davidm_shaw]

@@manuelnaranjo3255, thank you!

[@Ricardo8388]

Hey Ralfy, I got a question. Do you know why springbank recently became so rare. Is it demand? Small production? The prices are going through the roof, but no one is touching longrow.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . In my opinion, a large distribution agreement in the U.S.A.

[@WhiskyLock]

Ironic that we should find ourselves talking about the 'misappropriation of location' in a video about Talisker 18. It's always amused me that Talisker distillery itself is situated in Carbost, which is actually five miles away from the place named Talisker... Perhaps to confuse the exciseman?

[@whiskypapanotango2908]

My Favourite Talisker is Dark Storm

[@triplecap4307]

Talisker is so frustrating. It is a really good whisky (the 18 is better than 85 for sure) but wow it could be so much more.

[@marksmith9566]

Am interested in your previous occupation. Was it near the bothy?

[@scottyblog]

Made in a massive warehouse, not by the sea.

[@bryan5884]

Fair review of the 18. I personally enjoy T10 more than T18.

[@timmystauffer9094]

There are a couple bottles I might want to buy but I am not buying those bottles so long as the price is up as high as they are.

[@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424]

You gave this bottle a 91 7 years ago… I thought it was a wonderful dram. Top 10 I’ve had this year, I felt this review was to negative lol

[@geo5291]

I really wanted the Storm to be awesome. I had one of the latter batches, as I didn't get to it in time due to the sea of possibilities. I saw the the to five different great directions it could have gone in, and realized the body and the age were not enough to carry the potential. It was like a meal that had too many ingredients, without an identity. Some food dishes need one or two ingredients less, either to host balance or pick direction. There are balanced malts, beers and wines with many things going on. There are pours with an identity and structure, without great complexity. Yet the Storm was a dream that could have benefited from being allowed to pick and follow ANY of the directions it presented, with the removal of one of the others as a hint. It was confused and as indecisive as an air sign. Like a kid with a useless liberal arts degree, who knows they must work - but without passion for any particular field; also a pothead. Could have five well if it had to fight to survive, versus being over protected and not allowed to develop. Love the 18, but yes- it also falls greatly sorry if where it could be.

[@geo5291]

Oomg that is full of autocorrect mistakes!

[@flipper2gv]

I've watched sooo many Ralfy video at this point in time that I usually can only see the whisky he reviews and if I know it I can guess his score usually with a +/- 1 margin.

[@robbeason]

Thanks for this!

[@robfut9954]

“Made by the sea (ages in some big warehouses elsewhere)” just doesn’t have the same ring though lol

[@snow_poet_from_Ukraine]

Hi Ralfy! Are you planning to release your videos in 1080p in the future?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . upload speeds are very old-fashioned due to the poor network and my remote location.

[@snow_poet_from_Ukraine]

@@thewhiskybothy ok, I'm sorry to hear that. Anyway, thank you for review.

[@Augustus_Imperator]

One of my single malt scotch favorites if not the favorite, sorry

[@z1reticuli]

My choice: Deanston 18, Arran 18 over Talisker 18

[@SaltyCuban]

What a difference a year and a half make. Talisker 18 is now double the price. 🤦🏻 it makes me feel better on passing on this now that it’s so damn expensive.

[@brownwaterboys8304]

Malt Masters of Maggie Valley Hey do you ever watch Moonshiners? Have you had any of their moonshine that they sell. Its pretty tasty. Sugarlandshine Hazelnut Rum

[@undivided_unified]

"subsequent batches weren't so sparkling" ...what an elegant way to articulate "you started strong but eventually you were serving us shit" 😁

[@mendipfox1650]

Just heard the wholesale price of Talisker 18 is going up 194% in 2022! Bonkers!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . yes, an excessive increase, even in these times. Hopefully your information source is accurate and not misleading.

[@Hvitserk67]

What I do not understand is why the distilleries bother to chill filter and mix in color, both of which are likely to increase costs, if that does not make sense. What are the economic and/or practical benefits? I can see the economic point of diluting the whisky with water, but adding the false color and removing the aroma makes no objective sense unless it's all about reducing the whisky to the level of Coca Cola and how similar soft drinks are presented. Sad.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . cosmetics !

[@TheWoWBane]

Chill filtration doesn't change the flavour, which has been proven in blind taste tests. Of course, this is more about dogma and snobbery than wanting to enjoy whisky.

[@darrylcalder]

I feel like the score didnt really match the dialogue. I was expecting an 81. 85 is a pretty good score, isnt it?

[@NicolasMD85]

Well, considering that 80 is a minimum for Ralphy review, 85 is pretty much a bottom mark.

[@kellyj5389]

Great job

[@SteveHB59]

At $180 Aust, can’t see me buying that one after your review

[@blaitso]

@Joshua Werdiger really? How did i miss that. I have only seen it as low as $160 recently. At 130 i would get two for back up.

[@stephenmooibroek]

Poured myself a little monday-dram of this Talisker 18 while watching this. Still a decent and very tastfull whisky in my opinion, especially for the €90,- i paid. I would love a review of G&M's 'Discovery' Ledaig 12 y.o. 🥰 Always a pleasure Ralfy, cheers.

[@jackthepickledhound]

Enjoying a Five Lions Ledaig 11 Madeira and a Murray McDavid 6 year Px Ledaig. Time to add a few drops of water!

[@stephenmooibroek]

@@jackthepickledhound 🙌

[@AndyCigars]

Blackgrange is the Area51 of whiskys. 🥃👽

[@JimmyLeg]

Seven years ago you scored it a 91. This is sad but not surprising,

[@10lauset]

...Cheers...

[@wilseph1]

Ralfy!

[@UFO1601]

As consumers, we should start demanding malt whisky is as natural as possible, without chill-filtration and caramel colouring . It's all for vanity

[@Ricky-oi3wv]

Why in God's name do they do it?

[@tussk.]

@@Ricky-oi3wv because the chinese want it that way, and they,quite literally, cant get enough. they want a smooth and easy experience thats the same as last time, and doesnt demand anything from you. the packaging and the name on the bottle is more important as a status symbol than the contents of the bottle. 99% of the current market dont know good whisky from a pot of piss, but when the boss comes around, you better have something with an unpronouncable name in a nice presentation box if you want to get ahead.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . habit.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . fair point.

[@dkoz8321]

Made by sea , I think, refers to being created near the sea. Clever bit of language manipulation.

[@W.Andersson]

C’mon. This is not even close to what it tastes like. I agree with you about chillfiltration and colour but stop the crusade long enough to actually smell and taste the whisky.

[@estoyakula8525]

45.8%? Really, Diageo?

[@jbennison5672]

It's 0.2% away from 46. Not discernable at all. Better than some other 18 year olds.

[@VinDharma]

I am a pat-pal and huge fan. Owe a lot to Ralfy. But, IMO there’s an obvious axe he is grinding with Talisker. Line up 20 18 year olds and taste them blind. Talisker will likely do very well. Talisker isn’t among my favorites- but I retasted tonight and this review is pretty harsh. Also, if there is e150 in this, there’s not much at all. My bottle looks like a bourbon aged 15-18. In the past three nights I’ve had Ledaig, Springbank, and AnCnoc 18s and Talisker easily holds its own, IMO. ‘We’ll made generic whisky’ - there’s a bias there that’s more than what’s in the bottle. This is better than several 90 point selections (e.g. Glen Scotia 15, Arran 10). Love you, Ralfy. But I’m not sure this review would survive a blind tasting.

[@fgordon5575]

I've always enjoyed Talisker, and tie me to a stake and burn me as a heretic, but I thought "Storm" was better than the 10y/o

[@manuelnaranjo3255]

Im on your side. The 10 was the first and only dram I once put back in the bottle and waited for an other moment.

[@langtoun8235]

The quality of the 10 has dropped in the last 10 years but Storm is borderline undrinkable in my view.

[@brentmurphy8085]

$200 here in Tennessee 👎☹️

[@alexharrington44]

£185 now, no way.

[@swedishburrito5073]

👍❤️🥃

[@thewhiskyscout1238]

I did not vote for the Talisker 18 because I have never had it but if I had this is how it would come across to me. This is what I heard: Ralfy doesn’t like it therefore we should not either because you don’t like how they make their whisky. It feels like an underhanded slap in an effort to tell me what I should and should not like. Then the comment, “if it were up to you it wouldn’t be in there”? Should we consult your vlogs and find out whether it is an integrity malt before we vote whether we like it or not? “Remember it is an opinion mate and that is all it is”. I still like and watch your videos have done so for years but this one stung a bit. All cards on the table I have never had the Talisker 18, I do like the 10 a whole lot (always have an open bottle) and despise the Storm. My thought is if I truly like something take the Talisker 10 for example, despite the coloring and chill filtration I repurchase it. It’s just an opinion because I realize this is the whisky I get from them and judge based on what it is, not what it possibly could be, that is just hyperbole.

[@thewhiskyscout1238]

I had to edit the last sentence because my wife said it was horrible. It probably still is.

[@MrSottobanco]

Big alcohol is the kiss of mediocrity.

[@Dicko125]

I was very surprised this one made it onto the OSWAs tbh. I don’t rate it at all

[@langtoun8235]

In terms of its nomination almost as ridiculous as Highland Park 12.

[@geo5291]

Bad news: you are both right. Good news: it's not entry level white horse, Ballentine, etc. What does that mean? That more than 4ppl voted and more palates are going from the generic to the integrity. No they aren't there yet, but if the choices were only the most integrity - that means only the top end anoraks came to town. And alone, they/we cannot change the direction of things.

[@deonvanderheever8556]

Ralfy, you cantankerous old........... never mind! If you keep going down this path you would have to re-review everything you've reviewed before and if it was chill filtered or had spirit caramel added you would have to drop the rating by 5-6. Might I also add that marketing isn't all bad and actually contributes quite a lot to keeping pricing down for us malt mates. Then, "Made by the Sea" is just a slogan, and you'll see that slogan on various walls in the distillery. The whisky does have distinct maritime notes, and even if it isn't "real", the taste does reflect the influence of the sea more than most other whiskies. I don't see it as misleading the consumer. Anyway, I enjoy your reviews, but the gravitas is diminished with this particular type of review.

[@sidberns1373]

100% agree with this comment

[@bamit1515]

It’s got caramel, it’s chill filtered, it’s “made by the sea”… don’t care about the awards I’m not buying this one … lots of other good recommendations by Ralfy I’m going with (Aran 10, Clynelish 14, laphroig 10 CS) 😊

[@prestonw3878]

45.8 that's their devilish numerology

[@Scarebus_Driver]

Intersting to see Ralfy altering his reviews now to match his agenda. His continual harping on about everything except flavour is becoming tiresome. He then goes on to disrespect everyone who chose this whisky to be nominated in the OSWAS. Does he think everyone who voted for this has never tasted another whisky? Does he think they all have no ideas out whisky and chose to slam their choice because this whisky doesnt match up with his ideals. I didnt vite for it but we turn to Takisker 18 frequently as an excellent dram and certainly understand why many did. Would it be better non chill filtered maybe? Would it be better uncoloured? No not from a flavour view. Ralfy your agenda is now getting in the way of your reviews. All you need to say is yes its chill filtered and yes it has colouring added. Im tired of hearing minute after minute of ranting on marketing. Its ALL ABOUT FLAVOUR. Its all about “flavour” not about labels, waves on boxes but flavours. For anyone wanting a more genuine Ralfy review of Talisker 18 with less rant and more value look at his previous review. Look mate we get it, transparency is great its what we all want thankyou for bringing the issue forward. You fail to grasp there are huge markets ie China where any non clear liquid is refused entry and huge sales will plummet. Tens of millions of dollars lost because they didnt chill filter. These are the facts of any company importing to China where hazy whiskies are sent back. Your issues are now tarnishing your reviews by pushing your agenda rather than assessing flavours. Owning hundreds of Whiskies and having tasted tens of thousands your disrespect of those nominating the Talisker 18 is quite disrespectful and arrogant. How is it we knew you would do a hatchet review on Talisker 18 last week in a discussion as this whisky doesnt fit in with YOUR ideals. I mean how can we have a chill filtered, colour added whisky as a finalist heaven forbid. Far from impressed with a reviewer spitefully refuting popular opinion trying to convince them they are all wrong and your right. Get over it and get back to the Ralfy of old with fabulous deep reviews not anti marketing rants. With great power comes great responsibility if you want to openly disrespect everyone who voted for this whisky canning their judgement because you think you know better just shows how far off the rails you have gone. Its all about flavour, not agendas, rants and what is verging on arrogance. From 91 only a few years ago to an 85 and the only change to my palette is the agenda driven Ralfy. Very disappointing.

[@craigstaggs8597]

Alcoholic .