Talisker Storm Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

Jeffrey Schwartz -

BOTTLE DETAILS

  • DISTILLER: Talisker, the only distillery on the Isle of Skye
  • MASH BILL: Malted Barley
  • AGE: NAS – No Age Statement
  • YEAR: 2017
  • PROOF: 91.6 (45.8% ABV)
  • MSRP: $39.99, available everywhere
  • BUY ONLINE: Wine-searcher.com

JEFF'S NOTES

NOSE: Smoke | Vanilla | Honey | Citrus

TASTE: Peat | Pepper | Orange Peel | Vanilla

FINISH: The finish is very interesting. Almost a required Talisker pepperiness starts off on the tongue and then, very slowly, builds like crazy, then just dissipates, leaving a slight, dry smokiness behind.

SHARE WITH: Folks who enjoy a peated Highland Scotch that drinks like an Islay.

WORTH THE PRICE: This used to be a $75 Scotch, however, it has come down in price the last year or so to become much more affordable, and at its current price, it is one heck of a bargain.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: This is a hands-down, no holds barred, definite Bottle purchase.

OVERALL: The first thing that hits the nostrils is the smoky peat, and that becomes prevalent before you’ve even finished pouring it from the bottle to the glass. Once poured, the appearance is a lovely gold. Swirling it creates a thinner rim that yields very slow, fat legs.

Talisker Storm also has an amazing, silky mouthfeel. The whisky flows everywhere over the palate, making it easy to get a real sense of the flavors underneath the peat. There is an almost non-existent burn despite its ABV.

Talisker provides a great lineup and Storm is certainly no exception. I was loving Storm when it was almost twice the price, and last year I was pleasantly surprised to see the price drop. There are still retailers that will charge the original price, but you should search around because I see Storm in store after store anywhere between the $38 to $48 range, even while traveling outside of my home distribution area.

BRAND NOTES

TALISKER STORM ON THE FLAVOUR MAP

Region: An exuberant expression of this Island whisky.

Appearance: Full gold.

Nose: Powerful, fresh-clean and growing in complexity like a gathering storm. Sweet maltiness with ripe red berry fruit moves to smoke, brine and an explosion of pepper.

Body: Medium.

Palate: Mellow and rich, then very spicy: a pure, tongue-coating sweetness joins a nutty smokiness to embrace those spicier notes

Finish: Drier and of medium-length, with a lasting, smooth aftertaste, in which light peaty burnt embers can be found.

Talisker Storm offers the drinker Talisker’s full maritime majesty, all unfettered elemental power and confidence.
-Talisker