2005 Talisker 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.

Talisker 25 year old comes in a series of annual releases which can vary quite a bit in ABV, so there will be some noticeable differences. According to whiskyfun.com, this is one of the better iterations (review below). Compared to the more vibrant 18 year old, generally speaking, the additional vanilla-wood influence will be more evident in the 25 with the peat, pepper and brine stepped down a notch or two. 15,600 bottles were decanted from refill casks in 2005. 57.2% Alc./Vol. Collectable.

Other reviews... I always liked the 20yo’s better (than both the 2001 and 2004 versions of the 25yo, roughly 92 points vs. 88), so let’s see whether that will change now. Colour: gold. Nose: punchy and powerful, with some big, bold rubbery notes at first nosing, that are soon to vanish, leaving place for a blend of cooked butter, sea water, oak sawdust and apple juice – as well as butter croissants (excuse my Frenchness). It gets then more frankly maritime as well as quite orangey and even flowery (hints of peony and iris), and keeps then improving for hours. Well, minutes… More peat (rather subtle), more ‘farminess’, quite some quince jelly and marzipan, herbs (chervil and bay leaf)… And always these bold buttery notes. A punchy but domesticated Talisker. Mouth: a little sweeter than expected but very assertive, peaty, liquoricy and salty. Something pleasantly sweet and sour on top of that (white wine sauce and also a little rubber again) but it’s a little less complex than on the nose just now. Salty butter caramel… Gets quite dry after that and expectedly very peppery but it’s quite far from being a ‘monstrous’ Talisker. Hints of curry, chilli sauce, thyme… And always quite some liquorice. The finish is long, quite enveloping, salty and slightly caramelly… And, of course, peppery. Well, it’s an excellent whisky, no doubt. Maybe a good two points above the earlier 25yo’s in my books, so let’s say 90 points - whiskyfun.com