Talisker 25 Years Old (56.9%)

A distillery bottling of Talisker, a 25 year old Skye malt and bottled at 56.9%. A release of 4860 bottles. Set by Loch Harport, beneath the Cuillin hills, Talisker has distilled since 1830. Its 10 year old was chosen as the Island malt of Diageo's Classic Malts series.

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. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light sweetness under the peat. Long ageing brings a soft smoke, dried fruit and a mellow, peppery brine. Sea air works into the warehouses by Loch Harport, lending a saline thread. After a stillhouse fire in 1960, the five stills were rebuilt as exact replicas. The distillery faces the water across to the hills of Skye. Talisker is made by the sea, and matured within reach of the salt air. The signature is a black pepper kick, the so called chilli catch, over maritime smoke.

At a natural 56.9% it is powerful and oily. A coastal peat smoke and a peppery lift ride over a gentle vanilla under the smoke. The texture is oily and full, the smoke threaded with salt. A long, warming, peppery finish lingers. This is Talisker's smoky, peppery Skye style.