Gordon & MacPhail has bottled its final Talisker. Drawn from a single refill sherry butt, this 1987 Talisker (39 years, 51.4% ABV, 451 bottles) combines old-sherry sweetness with classic Talisker spice — and carries historic weight beyond the glass.
Palate is unmistakably Talisker: peppery, meaty, briny notes with bright orange jelly and a chilli-pepper smokiness that evolves into pine resin, mint and coriander seed.
Phil Dwyer gives it a 9/10 and calls it an elegant rebuttal to criticisms of Talisker’s recent standard bottlings.
This 39-year-old, single sherry butt rarity may be the most historic dram of the year. September 6, 2026 Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant with over a decade of experience in whisky retail and online whisky education. Best known for hosting Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, he is dedicated to making whisky accessible and enjoyable by cutting through jargon and complexity.
All the peppery, meaty, robust spice we love is there, opening with an almost Reuben sandwich quality of slow-cooked brisket, brine and pickles, before a huge slab of bright orange jelly cuts through. That fact alone explains why it has sold out almost everywhere in the UK, and it is the reason I approached this pour with a mix of excitement and, honestly, a little nervousness. Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
What happens when Gordon & MacPhail bottle their final ever Talisker? Trending Content The Best Bourbon From The American Whiskey Masters 2026 The Best Of The Rest Islay Whisky From The Scotch Whisky Masters 2026 What a Set of Kitchen Scales Taught Me About the World's Best-Selling Scotch The Best Bourbon From The American Whiskey Masters 2026 One Scotch Whisky Per Region Challenge: What a Set of Kitchen Scales Taught Me About the World's Best-Selling Scotch Crown Royal x Juicy Couture Drop Limited Edition Y2K-Inspired Merch The palate tells a different story.
The final ever Talisker from G&M THE VIDEO The last Talisker to ever be bottled by Gordon & MacPhail…what a sentence. G&M have announced the winding down of their independent bottling ventures, although we’re lucky enough to have plenty of stocks to see us out for the future. This 1987 39 year old Talisker was […]
What makes Ardbeg's oldest millennium whisky its most collectible yet? The Vintage_Y2K 25 Years Old finale unites retired-still spirit with rare Tempranillo casks. Read the full article at Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 25 Years Old Ends Millennium Series
Tamnavulin has reached a milestone that many distilleries talk about but few truly earn. Sixty years in Speyside, with a history that includes closure, revival and now serious global growth. That context matters, because this anniversary release is not built from abundance. It is built from scarcity. The Tamnavulin 25
What does whisky distilled in 1931 and aged for 88 years taste like? The Balvenie has just released its oldest expression ever, with only 17 bottles in existence. Read the full article at The Balvenie 88-Year-Old: The Oldest Whisky in Its History
Do gimmicks like basalt-seared casks add real character, or are we simply charmed by clever storytelling? This 47 year old Talisker put me to the test. Read the full article at Why the Talisker 47 Year Old Magma Won Me Over Against My Better Judgement
What happens when distillers ferment, mature or finish whiskey in genuinely unusual ways? These five bottles broke the rules and won major blind-judged awards for it. Read the full article at Flower Casks, Cider Barrels, and Caramelized Barley: 5 Award-Winning Whiskies That Didn’t Play It Safe
Loading more related stories...
Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.