Talisker Distillery Exclusive Bottling Cask #Batch 02

This Talisker, an official release, drawn from cask Batch 02 and bottled at 48%. Talisker was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill on the Minginish peninsula of Skye; it is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye. After a stillhouse fire in 1960, the five stills were rebuilt as exact replicas to keep the character.

The spirit was run through the unusual two and three still set up and cooled in worm tubs, for the rich, oily, peppery make at its heart. Maturation in Oloroso sherry laid smoked dried fruit over the peat. Without an age statement, the malt is bold, smoky and coastal. The U shaped lyne arms add reflux and an oily refinement to the spirit. 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.

Undiluted at 48%, it is deep and smoky. The Pedro Ximenez lends smoked raisin and treacle, and soft vanilla and honey from the cask, while peat smoke, citrus and a peppery warmth lead. A sea salt and a cracked pepper lift it. Smoke, brine and pepper draw out the close. This is a coastal Island malt with a chilli kick.