Talisker Distillers Edition REVIEW: Worth it?

I've got a single malt whisky from the Isle of Skye today. This is a Talisker Distillers Edition (DE). I've got an older one here from 2015. It's a peated whisky finished in Amoroso sherry. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
IG: @gwhiskytw
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - Cocktail fodder
80-83 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes
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[@austintierney4828]

Ten years ago this was the first whisky that made me realized that (scotch) whisky was truly something special. And if I recall correctly, my notes were very similar to yours--lots of chocolate and orange, salt seaweed and smoke (that lacks the medicinal smoke of Islay)

[@Gwhisky]

It really is a beauty. Sounds like we're on the same page! 🥃

[@krenarkabashi958]

this whisky made me like whisky.

[@whiskymeetsmadeira7054]

Hi. Really enjoyed your video. I am right now enjoying the 2021 DE and I am loving it. I bought it right after a tasting event, which had us try the 2017 edition. When I opened the 2021 edition I was trying to find some differences but couldn`t. The Talisker rep explained that they are trying hard to replicate the same taste experience. Having said that, some geeks might actually find a difference, I could not. It does pain me that they colour the whisky and also chill-filter, all the same, it still makes it in my top 3 whiskies, so far.

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you enjoy it! I'd imagine they are quite close, as the distillery does aim for consistency. Talisker in particular is a beacon of consistency imo. That being said, I've found differences between the bottlings. Of course, those differences could have been in my head or they could be in the whisky. Probably some combination of the two! Cheers.

[@alistaircorbishley5881]

Just been gifted a bottle of the 2020 edition. Never had Talisker before, normally go for Islay (fan of Caol Ila) or Campbeltown (favourite is Glen Scotia). After watching your video, can't wait to try this 😀

[@Gwhisky]

I'm sure you'll enjoy it! 🥃

[@miserablerhurensohn]

Currently have the 2012 and 2014 at 11 years old and the 2017 at 10 years old. The 2017 is open, the other two have been saved. Of those saved ones, the 2012 is the best of the ones I've had and I'm glad I bought an extra when I did. Just need a special occasion or some very good friends to open it up.

[@jorgenunez1826]

I've tried the 2017 expression and it's very good. Found it at a price very similar to Talsiker 10 (40 euros) which I think is a bargain (at least where I live). I would like to see some Springbank and Benromach reviews soon. Keep it up!

[@Gwhisky]

Hmm. No bottles on the go from either at the moment, but it's been ages since I bought a Springbank. I'm overdue...

[@anthonylambert4523]

I'm a Talisker fan boy to be honest.The 18 is top of the pile for me followed by the DE.Love it,sweet and Peaty..So tasty !!

[@Gwhisky]

Talisker is one of the greats! 🥃

[@sambrewster8556]

I really should love Talisker, having spent a couple of fantastic holidays in Carbost, Skye in cottages overlooking the distillery. There's just something about the thought of Diageo shipping all the whisky over to Alloa for maturation in those vast warehouses that spoils things a bit. The lack of anything un-chillfiltered and naturally coloured in the core range doesn't help either. Got to give them some kudos for the ABVs across the range I suppose.

[@Gwhisky]

I get it. It's very much a "business" whisky. Luckily imo the character doesn't suffer too much. It's got enough distinctiveness and personality that I'm willing to overlook much of that.

[@Hocky_World]

Nice review. Which one is better among DE, 10 or Storm?

[@Gwhisky]

All very different. 10 for value, but DE if you want a nice fruity sherried touch. My preference if price weren't a factor would probably be the DE, but that would depend on mood.

[@troublesome89]

Great review! Not loving the new Talisker labels, tho.

[@dairyyang5457]

I think port ruighe taste quite like a kind of sauce in Taiwan called 甜辣醬 or smoky BBQ sauce, not that delicate as DE, but bold. Port cask also give it some acidity which remind me of Quinta Ruban.

[@Gwhisky]

Sounds interesting. I'll have to keep an eye out for those notes the next time I have a bottle of this!

[@alfocrown]

I tried 2017 edition in the begining of my whisky journey, i was not impressed because the additional sweet layer traded with talisker distillated character. And I found a dusty 2005 DE on shelf last year. Old DE finished longer than currently label of DE, and the whole sherry influence was more solid instead of just adding a thin layer of sweet note on the top

[@Gwhisky]

Really? I haven't noticed much difference between releases, but I've never tried one from so long ago. I didn't know they had changed the finishing period since then. Interesting observation!

[@alexandermitev5189]

yeah i can confirm that observation. Had the DE 2013 and i was amazed by it. Bought some years later the 2017 DE and it had much less sherry and was quite disappointing overall compared to the 2013 version!

[@alfocrown]

@@Gwhisky the old label DE their vintage are older than age statment of classic malt, the talisker DE 2005 is 1992 vintage, which is 13 years old.

[@Gwhisky]

Damn that's quite a difference. I didn't know that! Shame I haven't seen anything older than the 2015 here in Taiwan. Thanks for the info, though!

[@alfocrown]

@@Gwhisky yea, the original lagavulin DE is 1979 vintage, which is 20yo, now day u can only find these old DE in auction house or lucky enough to meet a dusty bottle on shelf,

[@krassis6]

The 2019 bottling is great! Highest on my “reachability” scale recently.

[@Gwhisky]

Agree! Very more-ish! 🥃

[@jeffmill999]

In honor of your video I went took a hit off my 2015 ...tasty...I told you in another comment I found liters of the 57 North today for $75usd..tax included... I love the Lagavulin D.E. I killed a liter of it all too fast last year... Sorry to see you kill that bottle. I have about half left... Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Laga DE is good. Getting pricey these days those. In my market the Talisker DE offers better value. Cheers!

[@jeffmill999]

@@Gwhisky I paid $135us for my liter of the Lag D.E....I was sipping on my Lag 16 last night after over a year of having it...It was so good..I forgot how good.. I can get it for $71-72us here...There are bottles in every store.

[@Gwhisky]

I usually just stick to the regular 16 because eof the cost of the DE. I love the DE, but it's a quick barrel finish on top of the regular 16 with a big jump in price.

[@SaltyCuban]

What’s going on GW? Nice review. As always.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah cheers man. Just home from work and doing some more shooting. Thanks for watching, as always!

[@SaltyCuban]

@@Gwhisky have you ever had the Talisker 57 North? I’ve read some really good reviews for that but have never seen it anywhere including online. Only at auction. My guess is it’s discontinued. Is it worth paying the all the extra fees and buy at auction?

[@Gwhisky]

@@SaltyCuban I like the 57 North, but it's double the price of the 10. It's much bigger, but not necessarily much better. It's good, but I bought a bottle once and stuck to the 10 after that for my Talisker fix. Has it been discontinued? Wow I haven't heard anything about that...

[@SaltyCuban]

@@Gwhisky I’ve read that it has. So if anything buy one for a rainy day if you can find one. I never got to try it. Frankly I’m not a big fan of Talisker. I learned to love Laphroaig because it was my first big peated scotch. I prefer Lagavulin , Ardbeg and recently Caol ila. The old Hp 12 had a unique “twiggy” peat that was very nice. I just find Talisker a tad harsh and compared to the rest actually milder in peat and smoke. Also if you haven’t tried it, Benriach Curiositas is pretty good.

[@Gwhisky]

Well they still have the 57 north around at the shops in Taiwan, but even being discontinued... meh. Maybe. Heh. I like Talisker but the 10 and the DE are the only ones I've felt delivered in terms of value. I liked the Benriach Curiositas. Also discontinued. Better than the new “Smoky Ten” imo.

[@Taurui]

I am baffled, why don't you like Port Ruighe? o_o

[@Gwhisky]

I wasn't a big fan of the finish on that one. Not as well integrated as the DE imo.

[@George-wf7vk]

to be honest didnt enjoy it at all! Worse for me than 10 y.o..