Talisker 20 or 25?

[jimidrammer]

Recently the Talisker 20 yo bottled in '03 and the 25 yo bottled in '04 have become available at nearly the same price and I'm looking for someone who has tried them both to make a recommendation. At $189US & $205US it is a close call and a major investment. I've heard conflicting reviews, so I'm calling on the forum to help me decide. If you have either, give me some notes please to compare to the 10 yo and the 18 yo. Thanks.

[The Dazzler]

Jimmidrammer,

I have tried both Taliskers, though only have notes on the 25yo at hand. Reading these, it was a bit of what you would expect from a Talisker, spices, plenty of pepper and cough syrup but with more of a sweetness. On the nose a mixed bag from butchers shop to dried cereals to the harbour side. Overall it was quite raw and the alcohol screams out!

The 20yo If i remember was from refill sherry casks. I tried this in a blind tasting and thought highly of it. I find Talisker a difficult malt to gauge, especially at older ages as there is not much out there. Some OMC bottles under the name Tactical which might reach the US. I think if given the choice I would go for the 20yo.

However, and I know its Talisker you are asking about, but, the Caol Ila 25yo bottled 2004 was a stunner. If your store stocks this then it would beat the Taliskers hands-down, IMHO. I am sure you will get more postings to help you decide here though.

Slainte

[jimidrammer]

I haven't seen the Caol Ila 25 or Cask Strength around , but have been looking for them. As for the Taliskers, they are both C/S and I really wondered if they are a considerable notch above the 10 & 18 in quality which are both 45.8%.

[The Dazzler]

If it were me and my cash I would go for the 20yo. At 2-3 times the price of the 18yo yes you are going to want to be assured of its worth, tho if you are determined on one or the other, (20yo or 25yo) I would choose the 20yo. This one offers something a wee bit different with the sherry influence, it is also more difficult to find, (21000 bottles of the 25yo were produced).

I mentioned the Caol Ila 25yo as it was released the same time as the Talisker 25yo and by the same distillers, shame its not out there.

Slainte

[Admiral]

I recall the Talisker 20yo attracting many a favourable review.

[PeatPirate]

Hi all,

What about Talisker 20 & 25?


Greetings,

PP

[mar_mcdo]

i tried the 20y and thought it was great. i found that the coastal influence was more apparant: salty woodyness. didnt find it as spicy as talisker normally is, but still that distinctive pepperyness! great dram, would recommend!

[Bunkermania]

The 20 yo bottled in 2003 is the one from bourbon casks. The sherry one was bottled in 2002.
The Talisker 20 sherry is the best whisky I've tried so far. The other 20 yo is a bit behind but still a really good whisky.
I have also tried 2 different bottlings of the 25 yo. 1st edition bottled in 2001 and 4th edition bottled in 2004.

My points:
20 yo sherry 95p
20 yo bourbon 91 p
25 yo 1st ed 89p
25 yo 4th ed 86p

I tried them all at the same time together with Talisker 10, Talisker DE 1990 and Talisker 18. I hold the Talisker 18 for a little better than 25 yo 4th edition with 87 p.

[Lugarteniente]

Talisker 20, no doubt for the reviews I have seen.

[lucabeer]

IMHO the 20 (I have only tried the one from refill bourbon casks): it's edgier, more peppery than the 25.

The 25 is very good, but a bit too honeyed (with hints of propolis) for my taste compared to the dry and austere 20.

Both are very good, anyhow.

[jimidrammer]

I'm leaning toward just sticking with the 18yo($64US) which is very good. There have been mixed reviews with both the 20yo (bourbon finish) and the 25yo "04 edition, so for $200US there's just 3 or 4 others that suit me better. If there had been an overwhelming response to either I might have pushed it. The Lagavulin 12 C/S and Laphroaig 30 are in the same price range and hard choices also.

[Deactivated Member]

The little Frodo sitting on my shoulder agrees that the 18 is a far better value, and a fine dram.