Discover everything about the Talisker 10 in this in-depth review that answers all your related questions!
Talisker 10 tasting notes: How does it taste?
| Nose | Smoke, pear, apple |
| Palate | Smoke, dried fruit, mineral notes |
| Finish | Long and pleasantly peppery |
| Alcohol content | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| How to drink | Neat or add water |
| Similar to | Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg 10 |
There is a fair amount of smoke on the nose at first, followed by hints of pear, apple and a bit of iodine.
On the palate, the Talisker 10 displays a creamy texture.
Flavor offers a moderate hit of smoke at first, that quickly mellows out into rich dried fruit sweetness, with hints of cereal, black pepper and a mineral note.
The finish is long, with a satisfying warming peppery note and mineral finish with a bit of oak spice and caramel.
Is it smoky?
Moderately
In a 1 to 5 scale (5 the highest) the Talisker 10 scores a 3.
The barley is lightly peated to approximately 18 phenol ppm, which is low when compared to a smoke bomb like the Octomore that carries 258 phenol ppm.
How to drink it?
Add water
Adding a dash of water tunes-down the pepper, while releasing sweet notes, making it easier to sip.
Is Talisker 10 good whisky?
Yes
The Talisker 10 is not only a good whisky but one of the best 10 year old whiskies and one of the top Single Malts under $100 that you can buy in the United States.
It’s also one of the best malts under £50 in Britain so you get an idea how good it is.
Moderately smoky, sweet, with a distinctive peppery profile making and the right level of warmth making it quite approachable and rewarding.
If you are new to smoky whisky this is a good introductory bottle as the smoke is not overwhelming letting you appreciate other flavors.
Is it chill-filtered?
Yes
This is a chill-filtered single malt which prevents it from becoming hazy.
Does it use caramel-coloring?
Yes
It has artificial caramel-coloring making the only thing I dislike about it and reason I don’t give it 5 stars.
Even though the use of artificial caramel-coloring is legal according to the set of laws that govern Scotch Whisky, somehow I feel cheated but I can live with that as the flavor makes up for it entirely.
Talisker 10: aging
10 years
Aged in traditional oak casks for a minimum of ten years.
Talisker 10: Alternatives
Laphroaig 10 & Ardbeg 10
Often compared to the Laphroaig 10 and the Ardbeg 10 although these whiskies hit harder with the smoke demanding a more seasoned aficionado.
It’s more similar to the Kilchoman Machir Bay which is subtle on the smoke and quite a nice and easy drinker.
Talisker 10: Price
Prices are approximate and stated in local currency:
| Country | Price |
| United States | $70 |
| Canada | $140 |
| Britain | £45 |
| Ireland | €60 |
| Norway | Kr 580 |
| Australia | $110 |
Talisker 10: Alcohol content
92 proof (45.8% ABV)
This is quite a decent ABV providing good body to the whisky while not making it warmer.
Does it expire?
Alcoholic beverages do not expire
It will last for years as long as you store it in a cool place and away from the sunlight.
I strongly suggest drinking it ASAP once the content is down to 25% as liquors start developing awkward notes past this level.
How is it made?
- Barely is mashed using soft water drawn from one of the 14 underground springs that rise from Hawk Hill.
- Mash is fermented in the distillery’s wooden washbacks before being twice distilled through copper-pot stills.
- Stills are equipped with distinctive swan-shaped lye pipes and worm tubs. As a result of this configuration, a portion of the vapor during distillation condenses before reaching the cooler, and runs back into the still for redistillation. This process, according to them, provides a full-bodied flavor profile.
- The whisky is matured in traditional oak casks for a minimum of ten years.
Talisker 10 Year: Cheat Sheet
| Type of Whisky | Single Malt |
| Age statement | 10Y |
| Proof | 92 |
| ABV | 45.8% |
| Is it good? | Yes |
| Is it top-shelf? | Yes |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Sweet? | Moderately |
| Warm? | No |
| Peaty? | Moderately |
| Good for beginners? | No |
| Good for cocktails? | No |
| Good with Coke? | No |
| Calories per shot | 108 |
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Keto-friendly | Yes |
| Kosher | Yes |
I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should!