The hogsheads have been deep-charred, apparently. Let’s see if that didn’t make this young Talisker too creamy (so modern)… They don’t mention the outturn, so it’s large. Colour: pale gold. Nose: another one that’s a little medicinal and spirity at first nosing, while that’s even more obvious at almost 60% vol. But I also seem to detect olives, and olives work just like… say madeleines in my mind. Olives push the right buttons! (I tell it like it is, I owe you that). With water (because water’s really needed): oh yes, farmyard, beach mud, almond paste, yeast, new wellies, Vicks (big!)… That’s all rather wonderful. This baby loves water even more than, say ouzo does. Mouth (neat): huge, totally vertical, with just a little tropical forest honey in the background, but that may well vanish as soon as water’s been added. Let’s see, with water: formidable. Mint and almond oils. What a whisky! Finish: lemons! Lemons always work in a finish. Comments: feels slightly ‘lab’ at times, but that wouldn’t bother me one bit when the end result’s this brilliant. And, above all, balanced. Oh and have you noticed that there seems to be a thing between Diageo and the number eight (8). Karma or something… Fantastic whisky, one of the best quality/age ratio out there, in my opinion. Or isn’t that rather age/quality? Now one second please, have to check my score for Lagavulin 8... Okay, good, so… SGP:454 - 91 points.