Talisker 1980 Tactical The Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) (50%)

Douglas Laing bottled this Talisker single malt, a 20 year old Skye malt from 1980 and bottled at 50%. Only 359 bottles were released. Talisker was built in 1831 at Carbost on the shore of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye, and it remains Skye's most famous distillery. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, around eighteen to twenty two parts per million.

It was worked through the distillery's looped stills and worm tubs, from medium peated malt, for the peppery, maritime spirit Talisker is known for. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light sweetness under the peat. Past twenty years the spirit turns deep and oily while keeping its smoky edge. Refill oak lets the distillery's peppery, briny character lead. 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. Founded by the MacAskill brothers in 1830, it is Skye's oldest distillery.

At cask strength 50% it is muscular. Smoke, salt and a warming pepper, with a quiet vanilla from the barrel. Beneath the smoke run brine, citrus and a peppery oil. The close is long, smoke over a chilli warmth. This is a smoky, peppery Island whisky.