Talisker The Bodega Series 40 Years Old 1978

This official Talisker single malt, aged 40 year old from 1978 and bottled at 50%. The outturn was 2000 bottles. Talisker was opened at Carbost in 1831 on the shore of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye; for nearly two centuries it was the only distillery on Skye. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, around eighteen to twenty two parts per million.

It was worked through the distillery's looped stills and worm tubs, from medium peated malt, for the peppery, maritime spirit Talisker is known for. An Oloroso sherry cask wrapped the smoke in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Very old Talisker turns profound, oily and smoky yet soft and waxy. Refill oak lets the distillery's peppery, briny character lead. Founded by the MacAskill brothers in 1830, it is Skye's oldest distillery. The worm tubs build the full, oily body that carries the smoke and pepper.

Bottled at a cask strength 50%, it is intense. The Oloroso brings smoked dried fruit and a nutty depth, and smoke, salt and a warming pepper, with a quiet vanilla from the barrel. Soft smoke and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. Smoke, brine and pepper draw out the close. This is a smoky, peppery Island whisky.