Talisker The Distillers Edition 10 Years Old 2008

An official Talisker single malt, aged 10 year old from 2008, drawn from cask TD-S: 5UG and bottled at 45.8%. Talisker was opened at Carbost in 1831 by Loch Harport, beneath the Cuillin hills; for nearly two centuries it was the only distillery on Skye. The tall wash stills carry U shaped lyne arms with purifier pipes, and the spirit runs into worm tubs.

It was drawn off stills whose looped lyne arms and worm tubs build a rich, oily spirit, from peated malt, for a smoky, coastal spirit with a chilli kick. An Oloroso sherry cask wrapped the smoke in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At this age the smoke is vigorous and the pepper sharp over a briny spirit. Coastal warehousing gives the malt its mineral, sea spray lift. An old visitors book records guests calling since the turn of the last century. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, the water from the Hawk Hill springs.

Reduced to 45.8%, it is mellow. The Oloroso brings smoked dried fruit and a nutty depth, and a maritime smoke with a peppery bite sit over a gentle vanilla under the smoke. A maritime salt and a chilli warmth give it real punch. Pepper and sea salt see out a long finish. This is the maritime malt made by the sea on Skye.