Talisker Wilder Seas

This Talisker, an official release and bottled at 48.6%. 17940 bottles in all. Talisker was founded in 1830 by the MacAskill brothers on the Minginish peninsula of Skye, and it is a Diageo Classic Malt and the island's standard bearer. Talisker distilled three times until 1928, which is why it keeps two wash stills and three spirit stills.

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 Cognac cask added grape and dried fruit beneath 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.

At its natural 48.6% it is rich and peppery. The Cognac brings grape and dried fruit to the smoke, and soft vanilla and honey from the cask, while brine, citrus and a smoky pepper lead. It is bold and coastal, the peat and pepper to the fore. The finish is long, smoky and peppery. This is a bold Island single malt from Carbost.