scotch review

Talisker 10-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

Talisker 10

Talisker is a distillery on the Isle of Skye in Scotland that’s been around since the early to mid 1800s.  In fact, it’s the only distillery on the rocky island.  It’s known to produce a single malt that captures the spirit of its unique location.  People swear they taste the ocean in Talisker’s whiskies.  Owned by Diageo, Talisker has several single malt expressions on the market.  We’re looking at their base expression – Talisker 10-year-old.  Bottled at 48.5% abv, Talisker 10 retails for about $50-$60.

The nose starts out sweet with honey and salted toffee over spiced pear, citrus and smoke.  The palate is full of rich toffee, fruit (think pear), some saltiness (I guess this is the ocean people taste) and a flinty-mineral note.  Underneath are layers of peat, heather and a touch of smoke.  The finish here is long and warm.  Sweet and slightly spicy notes (black pepper) linger.

Talisker 10-Year-Old is a rich, sweet, spicy and smoky whisky I instantly fell in love with.  There’s great complexity here, not only for a 10-year-old whisky, but for a whisky in general.  I can’t wait to try other Talisker expressions like the 18-year-old.  This one’s highly recommended.

8.5/10

Dewar’s White Label Scratched Cask Blended Scotch Whisky Review
Photo courtesy Dewar's

Photo courtesy Dewar’s

Dewar’s latest expression is their Scratched Cask blended scotch whisky.  For this one, Dewar’s takes their matured White Label whisky and finishes it in charred and scratched American oak casks for several months.  The barrels are a blend of virgin and ex-bourbon casks.  It’s bottled at 40% abv and retails for about $25, just a couple of dollars more expensive than the standard White Label.

The nose is unmistakeable Dewar’s White Label, with an added richness.  Honey, heather, and vanilla show strong.  Taste-wise, Dewar’s Scratched Cask delivers just what I expected – a slightly sweeter version of their White Label.  Honey, malted grain, and heather. The finishing casks add some vanilla and just a touch of barrel char on the backend.  The official tasting notes call for oak, but it comes across as char to me.  The finish has a touch of spice (probably brought on by the charred casks), and is slightly longer than the White Label.

I like what Dewar’s is doing here.  The charred and scratched cask finish brings an added layer of complexity to what’s otherwise a light, crisp blended whisky.  They’ve also nailed the price on the head – just a $5 premium over the standard White Label.  I’d love to see a stronger version of this, maybe at 43% abv or 48% abv, but that’s just wishful thinking.  If you like Dewar’s White Label, I’m pretty sure you’ll like this one.

7.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Dewar’s)

Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whisky Review

Dewars White Label

Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whisky is the entry level expression for the brand.  It’s also the company’s biggest selling whisky.  Dewar’s has been around since the mid-1800s, and has been awarded numerous times.  They like to tout the White Label as “the world’s most awarded blended Scotch.”  You can find this one on just about every shelf in the $20 price range.

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