Thompson Bros Talisker 15yo & Torabhaig 2018 Scottish Oak Single Cask 2829

Thompson Bros Talisker 15yo

Region: Highlands

ABV: 57.1%

Price: £140.00

Selected by the Thompson Bros team for the Dornoch Castle Whisky Club, this Talisker was aged for over 15 years in a refill American oak hogshead, then given a final 4 month finish in a second fill Port seasoned American oak hogshead. It was then reduced to 57.1% ABV, or 100 Imperial Proof. Outturn of 250 bottles, available exclusive to members of the Dornoch Castle Whisky Club.

Nose

The nose opens with quite a sweet smoke, light in nature, with vanilla, some ash, a little salinity, pear, and a little chlorine in the background too. It's a subtle nose, there's aromas here but they're all very soft and gentle - not what we were expecting at all. Going back, we're finding some burnt toast, forest floor, nettles, and something a little sour - cherry or currants perhaps. Those sour fruits are the only small hint of that 3 month ruby port finish we can detect.

Palate

The palate opens with lots of sugar, sweetened lemonade, gingerbeer, then some salty, mineral forward smoke, lots of salted caramel, wet pebbles, toffee apples, thyme leaves and even a bit of cocoa-crusted venison. It's quite an interesting palate, it goes from sour to salty, to savoury, all with a backbone of brown sugar sweetness. The alcohol is a bit warm though, it's got quite a black-peppery/ hot ginger spice character to it. Saying that, there's a good amount of flavour here so it's not overshadowed. Time and air brings out some red fruits, strawberry mainly.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has a slightly dirtier, earthier peat smoke, some of that upfront sweetness has worn off, overtaken by a more coastal, salty, slightly acidic profile. It feels a little simpler now, it's become more one-note, but it's still a pleasant note.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate hasn't changed too much - there's lots of that upfront sugary sweetness, the citrus, and salinity. It feels much more in balance now alcohol-wise, and there's a mix of those earthy vegetal flavours mixed with the sweeter caramel and toffee notes. We prefer it with a drop of water.

Conclusion

It's nice to see a naturally presented Talikser and we were quite excited to try this. It's a solid dram, the nose is gentle but the palate has a more complex character. The 3 month port finish did have us questioning whether it was really necessary - it's imparted a little red fruit but we'd be curious to see what the dram was like before this.

Score: 7/10

Value

Yes, it’s expensive for a 15 year old, but then it’s also indie Talisker.

Torabhaig 2018 Scottish Oak Single Cask 2829

Region: Highlands

ABV: 58.7%

Price: £99.95

Distilled in May 2018 and bottled on the 15th September 2025, this Torabhaig was released as a single cask exclusive for The Whisky Exchange. Matured with a Scottish oak cask finish. Just 251 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose opens with buttery crumpets, lemon meringue, subtle roasted meats, rosemary salt and a sour, earthy, slightly medicinal peat smoke. It's a medium peat, quite sweet, and well integrated with the cask. Time and air brings out fennel, apple flesh, tree sap and beechwood. There's also a bit of menthol, pine resin and wood polish. The alcohol is present but generally well integrated.

Palate

The palate opens with a peppery spice, smoked cured meats, candied ginger, brown sugar, sea salt flakes, and grated nutmeg. The peat smoke comes through more towards the latter part of the palate, with fairly strong tar and leather notes. The mouthfeel is fairly viscous, and it's got a creaminess to it, some whipped cream cheese and fudge. Time and air brings out black tea and dark chocolate.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose accentuates the aniseed and herbal aromas, and the smoke also feels a little more prominent. There's less upfront sweetness, but there's a bit more wood and smoke to make up for this. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate loses a little texture, but also softens the upfront spice - and now there's a lot more gingerbeer than pepper. There's also a lot of brown sugar, salted caramel and freshly picked herbs. The tree resin is also there, with a fair amount of fresh oak peeking through.

Conclusion

We haven't had much Scottish oak-matured whisky, but this has worked quite well. The nose is more subtle and balanced, whereas the palate has a lot more of those oak flavours coming through. Torabhaig isn't usually a distillery we often reach for but this is a really well done expression.

Score: 7/10

Value

Not cheap but the price is in line with other single cask releases.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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