Totally agree! I would say 18yo is like walking on the beach at noon, and 25yo is like sitting in the damp coastal cavern at sunset. Would go for 18yo every time, though I think the 25yo still provides some weird, unique flavor profile.
Wow, thanks for that! Very interesting. How would you rate the Talisker's DE against the 18?? I personally prefer the old label 10 over the 2010/2020 DE by far. The new label 10 is a completely different whiskey altogether, as if it was made by a different distillery and comes off much less matured with a different peat profile as well.
I have had Tailsker 18 (entire bottle) and it is absolutely #1 all time for me....Crazy how they chill filter it and add coloring but still it beats everything else for me....perfect balance of salt and sweet
I bought Talisker 18 a few weeks back and I’ve been eyeing the 25. This video is right on time! When I saw it on my subscription list I was like YES! Clicked it so fast. Also, I’ve never had Talisker 10 or storm. I’ve had the distillers edition, though. That is one of my favorite scotches.
Timing is everything! I, too, enjoyed the distillers edition but I would pass on the Storm... Now the 10 is something I would recommend tiring. It's entry level the that buttery note is very obvious. In Columbus Tal 25 is $500 which is absurd.
I never had a Talisker that old... I have had the ten a few times, and NAS expressions once or twice. Lack of local availability and prices keep me away...
Talisker, much like Highland Park and Macllan, offer nothing exciting for under a fortune. Once distilleries that regularly bottled epic whisky have been reduced to specters of their former selves.
I grabbed a bottle of Talisker 30 a couple years ago for $300. It was such a steal, right? Until I opened the (gorgeous) bottle. What a massive disappointment, just as you describe the 25 here. It tasted watered down and the casks felt like they were spent/tired. I ended up trading it for a CB Rogue's Banquet.
@@topshelfwhisky It was from a different/local to me shop but I suspect you are referring to the same Talisker. I still don't think it was worth the wrong price.
Dang!!!! never would I have thought the Talisker 25 shown here would be so lacking. The 18 year I can still find for $165. I may have to pick up another bottle.
The Talisker 25y has so much old library on the notes, it is amazing and it's more complex than the 18y. You know how children are more impressionable? Those unicorns have destroyed your love of library notes in whisky! Just saying ;) Cheers
You might have a point, we didn't get the velachor compass box either lol. That said, the good and bad, of a "VS" is that we try these whiskies side by side and sometimes a bolder whisky just drowns out the lighter one. Here that 18 was like a nuclear bomb while the 25 was one of those poppers you throw on the ground.
Snagged a Talisker 18 when I heard about the price increase. Sherried whisky, especially peated sherry to me, drastically improves once past the shoulder. Ledaig 18 was the same way.
@@topshelfwhisky I was eyeing one at Chateau, then it disappeared. I freaked and had a relative grab one in NE Ohio when it looked like there were only a couple bottles left in the state. Now, of course, it’s back at the same price.
I grabbed that same 25 probably 5 or 6 years ago for $215. I was fine with it then for the price, but I see that same bottle now for $500+ and that's insane. You're right about only paying for the age statement with that 25 though, just grab the 18.
Great versus guys:) Talisker is only 90-100 usd here so a lot of value there but there are a couple of 25y that is not as good as Talisker 25y, like Bruichladdie 25y, Tullibardine 25y, Balvenie 25y, Old Pulteney 25y, Aultmore 25y to name a few
I have the distillers Ed and I like the 10 better. Did Ed has a beautiful sweeter, fruitier note to it, but lacks everything else Talisker 10 has… I would be interested in a top 18 y/o video. Current bottle offerings…
Can't comment on the 25, but research has always told me it was underwhelming. I have a bottle of the 18, through about half of it. It's solid but it's not mind blowing at all so far. If I had to score it this instant, I'd say maybe 87. I'll continue to give it more time.
This would be a fun Vs. Talisker 25 cask strength diluted down to 45% vs standard 25 45.7% abv blind. Then we will know, is it the abv or better casks!
Very good information to know, worth its weight in scotch
🤘🏻
Totally agree! I would say 18yo is like walking on the beach at noon, and 25yo is like sitting in the damp coastal cavern at sunset. Would go for 18yo every time, though I think the 25yo still provides some weird, unique flavor profile.
Comparison videos are the best!
My motto, only buy cask strength Talisker.
Talisker is on the other line. They're wondering if a 3 year old CS would be ok for you, 8's just taking too long to make more of :)
Same
Wow, thanks for that! Very interesting. How would you rate the Talisker's DE against the 18?? I personally prefer the old label 10 over the 2010/2020 DE by far. The new label 10 is a completely different whiskey altogether, as if it was made by a different distillery and comes off much less matured with a different peat profile as well.
We have reviews on all but real quick… we really like the 18 and prefer the 10 over DE
100% agree on this one.
I have had Tailsker 18 (entire bottle) and it is absolutely #1 all time for me....Crazy how they chill filter it and add coloring but still it beats everything else for me....perfect balance of salt and sweet
It’s one of my favorite distilleries. That said I would love to see more cask strength offerings with decent age statements.
@@topshelfwhisky Do you think Talisker 18 is similar to the lower ABV HP25?
I bought Talisker 18 a few weeks back and I’ve been eyeing the 25. This video is right on time! When I saw it on my subscription list I was like YES! Clicked it so fast.
Also, I’ve never had Talisker 10 or storm. I’ve had the distillers edition, though. That is one of my favorite scotches.
Timing is everything! I, too, enjoyed the distillers edition but I would pass on the Storm... Now the 10 is something I would recommend tiring. It's entry level the that buttery note is very obvious.
In Columbus Tal 25 is $500 which is absurd.
I love the DE
I never had a Talisker that old... I have had the ten a few times, and NAS expressions once or twice. Lack of local availability and prices keep me away...
Talisker, much like Highland Park and Macllan, offer nothing exciting for under a fortune. Once distilleries that regularly bottled epic whisky have been reduced to specters of their former selves.
@@topshelfwhisky RIP
I really enjoyed the Talisker 30 YO I had last. It was a 1980/2010 @57.3%. Rich and delicious.
Still to this day I have not tried cask strength Talisker 30 but I do highly enjoy the 45.8% 30 year for 2017. I have long imaged tasting it.
I grabbed a bottle of Talisker 30 a couple years ago for $300. It was such a steal, right? Until I opened the (gorgeous) bottle. What a massive disappointment, just as you describe the 25 here. It tasted watered down and the casks felt like they were spent/tired. I ended up trading it for a CB Rogue's Banquet.
Would you be speaking of the Ace Spirits miss priced Tal 30 from 2017?
@@topshelfwhisky It was from a different/local to me shop but I suspect you are referring to the same Talisker. I still don't think it was worth the wrong price.
I've had a bottle of the 18 yr and its undervalued. Trying to get a 2nd bottle without paying to much. Great review.
I feel the same way about Bunnahabhain 18 vs 25
The Blue label Bunna 18? The old 18 was a better bottle
@@topshelfwhisky yeah I hear it is but hard to find these days
@@greigmartin4339 for sure
Dang!!!! never would I have thought the Talisker 25 shown here would be so lacking. The 18 year I can still find for $165. I may have to pick up another bottle.
That is about the price in Columbus, solid value. Unbelievably the 25 is $500
The Talisker 25y has so much old library on the notes, it is amazing and it's more complex than the 18y. You know how children are more impressionable? Those unicorns have destroyed your love of library notes in whisky! Just saying ;)
Cheers
You might have a point, we didn't get the velachor compass box either lol. That said, the good and bad, of a "VS" is that we try these whiskies side by side and sometimes a bolder whisky just drowns out the lighter one. Here that 18 was like a nuclear bomb while the 25 was one of those poppers you throw on the ground.
Great review. I’m curious, what year are these bottles from?
The 18 was bought 2-3 years back. I'd assume the 25 is around 2017 but mike can confirm.
The Talisker 25 was the 2017 bottling.
Snagged a Talisker 18 when I heard about the price increase. Sherried whisky, especially peated sherry to me, drastically improves once past the shoulder. Ledaig 18 was the same way.
Pick that up at Chateau?
@@topshelfwhisky I was eyeing one at Chateau, then it disappeared. I freaked and had a relative grab one in NE Ohio when it looked like there were only a couple bottles left in the state. Now, of course, it’s back at the same price.
@@topshelfwhisky May I ask the full name to this Chateau website?
@@gman5986 not a website, just a local store to Columbus. Michael and I are neighbors. Sorry
I grabbed that same 25 probably 5 or 6 years ago for $215. I was fine with it then for the price, but I see that same bottle now for $500+ and that's insane. You're right about only paying for the age statement with that 25 though, just grab the 18.
This should be similarly pricing to the Glenfarclas 25. maybe and extra $10 for the extra 2.8% abv
Great versus guys:) Talisker is only 90-100 usd here so a lot of value there but there are a couple of 25y that is not as good as Talisker 25y, like Bruichladdie 25y, Tullibardine 25y, Balvenie 25y, Old Pulteney 25y, Aultmore 25y to name a few
Which balvenie, and are we talking single cask cause....single cask and all?
@@topshelfdustin3060 singel barrel 47,8%, really disapointed with that one😬
@@primewhisky I wasn't impressed either, we did a 25 vs 21 vs 15 of their single barrels. But I have it on GOOD authority some are great!
I have the distillers Ed and I like the 10 better. Did Ed has a beautiful sweeter, fruitier note to it, but lacks everything else Talisker 10 has…
I would be interested in a top 18 y/o video. Current bottle offerings…
Great idea
i like that idea
Totally Agree!
Can't comment on the 25, but research has always told me it was underwhelming. I have a bottle of the 18, through about half of it. It's solid but it's not mind blowing at all so far. If I had to score it this instant, I'd say maybe 87. I'll continue to give it more time.
Your score and is about right. As you said, it’s not mind blowing… I call it “good whisky”
87 is very fair, maybe 88 if you really like the profile max.
@@topshelfwhisky it is "good whisky" 100%
What’s your favorite Talisker?
The 15 cask strength Diageo special release by FAR
This would be a fun Vs. Talisker 25 cask strength diluted down to 45% vs standard 25 45.7% abv blind. Then we will know, is it the abv or better casks!
i would never to that to my cask strength Talisker ;)
Dude....you'd know the difference 20 feet away just smelling the glasses, they're THAT different
Don’t talk smack about “The Last Unicorn” that was an awesome movie #TheRedBull
That flaming Bull was nightmare fuel when I was a kid.
Sobering review guys. Mike we share your pain and disappointment.
Sun can't shine everyday ;)