Whisky Cocktail at The Bar in Dubrovnik (made with Talisker)

When you're on a holiday, always try the local cocktailbar. We did so when travelling to Dubrovnik and found a cocktail made with Talisker. Of course we ordered it an jotted down our findings. What was the Talisker Poseidon cocktail like?

Theo: Although the bar is tucked away on a small side street, it’s a spacious spot with great seating. The venue is split into two sections: a few tables near the bar, and further in you’ll find plusher booths and different levels.

Rox: The bar is hidden just off a major street in Dubrovnik’s Old Town: easy to miss with so many side alleys you’ll never explore all of them. From the outside it doesn’t exactly pull you in, but once you’re inside you instantly feel the vibe: super cozy. It looks modern, packed with young people, and it’s the kind of place you want to come back to. Everything feels very well put together.

Theo: The Poseidon. That sounds powerful, like something big is about to happen the moment you take a sip. I definitely expect maritime notes when I hear that name.

Rox: I love it. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with the God of War video game series (the older PlayStation titles, not the recent ones). It’s steeped in Greek mythology. That’s right up my alley. I’m immediately picturing a trident as a garnish or something.

Theo: The maritime link is obvious once you see the ingredients. It uses a whisky you don’t often find in cocktails: Talisker 10 Years Old.

Rox: As Theo said, it’s Talisker 10 Years. That makes it really interesting. I love Talisker. Not necessarily smoky-leaning whisky cocktails, but I’m very curious about this one! Here’s what goes into it: Talisker 10, Smirnoff, fresh red grapes, Blue Curaçao, bitters, salt, sweet & sour mix, mint.

Theo: Spot on and luxuriously done. The Poseidon isn’t served in a glass but in a shell, cleverly playing with the color of Blue Curaçao. The drink is poured over a bed of ice, making it look like crystal-clear blue seawater inside the shell.

Rox: Wow! This presentation gets a straight 10! You wouldn’t expect a drink to be served like this. Stunning!

Theo: At first sip I’m pleasantly surprised by The Poseidon. It not only looks phenomenal, it tastes fantastic too.

Rox: Amazing in looks and flavor. You wouldn’t dream up a cocktail with all the ingredients I just listed, and the combo of whisky and Blue Curaçao especially caught me off guard.

Theo: Visually, the sea, immediately. You just can’t miss it, the bright blue color and the fact you’ve got a shell in front of you. But after a few sips, I’m reminded of what a taxi driver in Dubrovnik told us: 'Old Town is incredibly expensive.' After two small sips, all that’s left is ice.

Rox: A well-hidden Easter egg in one of the older God of War games? Haha! That’d be great: Kratos on Talisker!

Theo: Pretty poor. Sure, the cocktail is unique and the presentation’s on point. But with the ridiculously small amount of liquid in that shell, I feel like I’ve been taken for a ride without even a kiss first.

Rox: I’m tempted to say a painful 1, but that’s a bit much. Still, you pay 18 euros, which is a lot. After a few sips, it’s gone. There’s too much ice (even if it tastes great) and too little drink.

Theo: With The Poseidon, The Bar delivers a gorgeous cocktail, at least in looks and flavor. In terms of quantity, there’s plenty of room for improvement. For the customer, that is, because with servings this small the owner must be raking it in.

Score: a meager 5.

Rox: I had a truly delicious cocktail that literally left me wanting more, with a stunning presentation. But in terms of price-to-quality, you simply can’t serve it like this to people.

Score: a 6.5.

Read all our whisky reviews here.