This species belongs to section Multiformes and has very small, almost smooth spores

It has a very pronounced honey-like smell (a lot of Cortinarius species has a weak honey-like smell, but it is distinct in C. talus).

The cap is café-au-lait coloured, often with a frosty look in the centre from veil remnants

C. talus might remind of species from the C. langei complex, but it has a less marginate bulb, and microscopical differences.