Talisker Port Ruighe

This official Talisker single malt and bottled at 45.8%. Set on the Minginish peninsula of Skye, Talisker has distilled since 1830. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, around eighteen to twenty two parts per million.

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. A wine cask shaped it, the fruit meeting the maritime smoke. With no age statement, it shows the smoky, peppery maritime character in full. The worm tubs slow the copper contact, building the full, oily body Talisker is known for. Carbost is a tiny port on the wild west coast of Skye. The peat is medium rather than heavy, leaving the smoke balanced and coastal. Talisker was for nearly two centuries the only working distillery on the Isle of Skye. Its 10 year old is the Island malt of Diageo's Classic Malts selection.

At an approachable 45.8% it is balanced. The Port cask lays smoked plum and red berry over the peat, and smoke, salt and a warming pepper, with soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Soft smoke and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. The close is long, smoke over a chilli warmth. This is a smoky, peppery Island whisky.