Which Talisker 20 in issue 39 "Best Malts"?

[aljones]

Second place in the "Best Malts" list goes to a Talisker 20 at 58.8% where "the very obvious presence of sherry" is noted.

But there are two Talisker 20's:

1981, 62%, sherry casks only, 9,000 bottles

1982, 58.8%, bourbon casks only, 12,000 bottles

I tasted the 1982 58.8% at Whisky Live and it definitely has zero "sherry presence." The 2003/2004 Diageo Special Releases booklet also describes it as "a fine contrast with its predecessor twenty years old sherry cask bottling."

I can only draw the conclusion that the 1981 sherry bottling is the intended second place winner and that the 58.8% abv is a mistake. Unfortunately, this mistake will lead readers to seek out a very different whisky from the one described in the list.

Al Jones

[PoppaMitch]

I have a 1981 20 yo Talisker, sherry cask, 1 of 9000 bottles, but it is at 59.7% ABV. I've often wondered how it is different from the 62% version everyone raves over. Perhaps it is because it is the 750 mL bottling? I don't know, but it is fantastic.

[Matt2]

I am looking into this for you and will find an answer soon.

[aljones]

I look forward to your reply.

In the meantime, I had the opportunity to sample the two Talisker 20's mentioned above back-to-back last Friday when Danish whisky retailer Scotspain offered a tasting celebrating your Top 10 (nos. 1-2-3-4-7-10). When I pointed out the problem to our host, he promptly brought out both bottles for comparison.

I am now more convinced than ever that your second place winner is the 1981 sherry bottling and that the 58.8% abv, therefore, is an error on your part.

Al Jones

[PoppaMitch]

Hey Matt - You ever figure this one out?

[Matt2]

No answer yet
The bottles have been finished and removed soo I can't even check that. I will keep on digging, but I am starting to think it was a mistake. Should have been the 1981 62% sherry cask.

[Lugarteniente]

In some talisker 20 58,88% there are printed: "Refill Casks"

Two versions of Talisker 20 58,8%?

[Deactivated Member]

Not necessarily. Refill sherry casks are quite common. The influence of first-fill sherry might be too much for any particular bottling. In fact, I've had several Bruichladdich refill sherry bottlings that were amazingly dark and sherry-influenced, without coloring (specifically, G&M Cask and in-house Valinch bottlings). So strong sherry influence from refill casks is not unusual.

[Whiskytaster]

I was lucky enough to find one of these before they disappeared in the shops.

It is the 62% , bottling of 9000, that is the pinnacle of Talisker's work...

They were mostly bottled in 2001 but the bottling ran into the beginning of 2002 as well.

If only there was more....