Talisker 1955 37 Year Old Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky Sherry Cask 1315 50,4% alc by vol 700ml

Here is a detailed review of the legendary Talisker 1955 37 Year Old "Sherry Cask #1315" - one of the rarest and most sought-after bottlings in the whisky world:

Talisker 1955 37 Year Old Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Cask #1315 | 50.4% vol. | 700ml

1. historical background & significance

• Distillation: December 1955 (oldest official Talisker bottling of the 20th century).

• Maturation: 37 years in a single sherry butt (#1315) - extremely unusual for Talisker, which is typically matured in bourbon casks.

• Bottling: 1993 (only 1,500 bottles) by United Distillers (now Diageo) for the "Rare Malts Selection".

• Status: Museum piece - auctions regularly achieve top prices (e.g. Sotheby's 2023).

2. sensory profile (based on expert judgement)

• Colour: Deep mahogany (due to sherry maturation).

• Nose:

  • Initial maritime saline notes, dried seaweed.

  • Underneath: Ripe plums, sherry dried fruit (dates, figs), liquorice.

  • Slight traces of smoke (typical Talisker, but softer), wax and old leather.

• Palate:

  • Complex sherry intensity: rum pot, balsamic vinegar, dark chocolate.

  • Peppery spiciness (Talisker's "Peppery Punch", softened by age).

  • Undertones of roasted nuts, tobacco and marine minerality.

• Finish:
  Extremely long with smoke, leather, Oloroso sherry and a hint of metallic coolness (typical of old Taliskers).

3. special features & technical details

• Alcohol strength: 50.4% vol. - remarkably high for a 37-year-old malt (shows low evaporation).

• Cask influence: Matured exclusively in a sherry butt - gives the rough Talisker character unusual depth.

• Bottle label: Classic "Rare Malts" design with handwritten cask number (#1315) and distillation date.

4th market value & rarity

• Availability: Practically sold out - only at auctions or private collectors.

• Appreciation:

  • Original price (1993): approx. £100.

• Reasons for value:

  • Oldest Talisker ever commercially bottled.

  • Only sherry cask bottling of this era.

  • Cult status of the "Rare Malts" series.

5th expert judgement

"A whisky myth. The maritime power of Talisker meets luxurious sherry elegance - an impossible combination that could only come about through decades of maturation. Every sip is history in liquid form."
- (Rating: 98/100).

6. drinking recommendation

• Target group: Collectors & investors (not for everyday enjoyment!).

• Serve: Straight (without water/ice) at room temperature.

• Storage: Store upright, cool (15-18°C) and dark. Keep the original box!

Conclusion:

The Talisker 1955 37Y Sherry Cask #1315 is a century malt- a perfect synthesis of Talisker's iconic coastal character and the opulence of a sherry cask. Its rarity, history and complexity make it a non plus ultra for collectors. Anyone who has ever tasted it describes it as a "transcendent experience".

ℹ️ Warning: Counterfeits circulate due to its value. Authentication by specialists (e.g. whisky auctioneers) is essential!

Sources: Rare Whisky 101, Sotheby's, WhiskyFun, Diageo Archive (2025).