Talisker 11 years 2022 Edition

Score: 78

According to the bottle label, this special release used less peated stocks of Talisker or perhaps less peat-forward casks. That certainly felt true on the palate, though the aroma maintained plenty of soot and occasionally acrid smoke, especially at first. The bourbon casks took center stage, elevating more brown sugar and fruity candies, especially on the palate. The whisky had a good mouthfeel with a lovely weighty viscosity that occasionally veered toward something syrupier, especially as those pink Starburst notes came into focus. The finish was nice and long, balancing classic Talisker pepper and the fruitier elements. We were surprised by how mellow some of the maritime qualities appeared, considering how central they are to the distillery’s character. They were there to be sure, but often in the background.