Taster

Nose: Medicinal. Camphor. TCP. Sweet grassy notes in the back. Aniseed. A touch of earthy peat. Faint smoke. On time, vanilla swirls up.

Palate: Round, satin soft. Same medicinal profile with sweet liquorice toffee, a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Gentle spices. Alcohol is well mastered. Very light smoke.

Finish: Lingering. Drying on ground ginger and a gentle astringency.

Comment: Medicinal without the smoke. I am surprised it is a Talisker. Excellent though but it could easily be a cousin of Laphroaig!

Score: 8.4

Taster

Nose: Effortlessly sweet smoke, well rounded oak, some coastal brine/slight shellfish note and a darker toasted maltiness.

Palate: The smoke leads the palate, but hand-in-hand with a buttery smoothness, some very dry cooking apple notes and lime peel.

Finish: Dry and lengthy. The smoke is restrained but very much the driving force at work.

Comment: A no-nonsense wash of particularly perky peat. Very good indeed.

Score: 8.3