World Whiskies Awards 2007
World's Best Single Malt Whisky

Elegant with fascinating balance between smoke and subtle sweet fruit. Ever changing in the glass and on the palate. Gentle waves of flavour, superb balance and a classic peppery finish. Seamless. Dave Broom

Baked orange pudding sprinkled with cinnamon, pomanders and a trace of manila envelope. A silky mouth feel and develops into richer orange marmalade with burnt edges. Annabel Meikle

Toffee and rich peat smoke on the nose. The alcohol bite on the palate gives way to rich sweet peat smoke, some sea notes and plenty of peppery spice. Nicely rounded and complete. Some wood, too, suggesting its age. Like chewing honeycomb and smoky bacon at the same time. Long, spicy and peaty finish. Whisky doesn't get much finer than this. Dominic Roskrow

Warm, rich and attractive. Leather, pipe-tobacco, sweet sherry and polished oak on the nose, followed by a good creamy texture and a warming finish. Avery attractive dram. Keir Sword

Martine Nouet

Nose

TCP, tarred boat, iodine-impregnated seaweeds. Peat. Wouahh! Then candied orange, trifle, milk chocolate.

Palate

And the beat goes on… iodine, tar pastilles, salty water. Ginger bread. Liquorice.

Finish

Warm, salty. Dry and nutty. Sooty touch.

Comment

Loch Harport on a winter's day, gale force eight! Less peppery than younger versions. Complex, endearing, balanced. 18 seems a perfect age for malts.

Dave Broom

Nose

Complex, burning heather, sweet tobacco, old warehouse, spent bonfire. Underneath is almond paste/nougat, butter biscuits and a lightly herbal note. Plenty of smoke. Rich and complex.

Palate

A slow start, then pepper, a light smoked fish note, fruit syrup. Builds to an explosive finish.

Finish

Red peppercorn.

Comment

Truly fantastic. All of Talisker's attack...and then some.