19 April 2007

TALISKER™ IS WORLD’S BEST SINGLE MALT WHISKY, SAY EXPERTS

Talisker 18 year old was declared the world’s Best Single Malt Whisky by a panel of whisky experts yesterday in Glasgow.

The famous single malt whisky distilled on the remote island of Skye emerged as overall winner in the World Whiskies Awards, who announced their results after three rounds of blind tasting by independent whisky experts. Chaired by whisky expert Dave Broom, the World Whiskies Awards are organized by Whisky Magazine, the leading specialist publication on world whiskies.

One judge commented: “Whisky doesn’t get much finer than this”. (Full comments below)

In the latest World Whiskies Awards rankings, Talisker 18 year old was also declared Best Island (non-Islay) single malt whisky. The award for Best Islay (peated) single malt whisky went to another Classic Malts Selection™ single malt whisky, Lagavulin™ Distillers Edition.

Among the sub-category winners, Talisker 10 year old was awarded Best Island (non-Islay) single malt whisky under 12 Years Old.   Caol Ila™ 8 year old was declared Best Islay (unpeated) single malt whisky under 12 Years Old.

This latest accolade follows last year’s announcement that the International Wine & Spirit Competition had awarded Talisker 18 year old  the Trophy for the Single Malt Scotch Whisky over 15 years old.

Talisker™

The distillery was built in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, beside Loch Harport. The name comes from the Norse, “Thalas Gair”, meaning “Sloping Rock”. The whisky was already famous by 1880 as “The king o'drinks...” (R. L. Stevenson). The 10 year old expression of Talisker is the most award winning single malt in its class. It is the only single malt Scotch Whisky made on the island of Skye.

Talisker forms part of the Classic Malts Selection   - see www.malts.com .

Winning form

Talisker 18 year old has won many prestigious awards since it was launched in October 2004:

-           In 2005, it earned the ‘Best in Class’ Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, and the award for "Whisky of the Year", as well as a Gold medal at Germany’s International Spirits Competition

-           In 2006, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded Talisker 18 year old a Double Gold medal, and the International Wine & Spirit Competition awarded Talisker 18 year old its Trophy for the Single Malt Scotch Whisky over 15 years old.

Judges comments include:

“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. A very attractive dram.”
Keir Sword

World Whiskies Awards 2007

Organised by Whisky Magazine, the full results can be found at www.whiskymag.com/awards/wwa/ . Whisky Magazine Editor Rob Allanson can be contacted on 01603 633 808 or 07944 158 845.

Talisker, Lagavulin, Caol Ila and Classic Malts Selection© 2007 words, the Quaich device and associated logos are trade marks