Talisker 7 Years Old 2009 Cask #DL 12023 (Provenance)

This is a Talisker single malt, chosen and bottled by Douglas Laing, aged 7 year old from 2009, drawn from cask DL 12023 and bottled at 46%. 337 bottles in all. Set by Loch Harport, beneath the Cuillin hills, Talisker has distilled since 1830. Water comes from the Cnoc nan Speireag, the Hawk Hill, springs above the distillery.

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. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the peat and pepper lead. At a youthful age the smoke runs bold and the brine bright. Sea air works into the warehouses by Loch Harport, lending a saline thread. The unusual two wash and three spirit still set up is a relic of triple distillation, dropped in 1928. An old visitors book records guests calling since the turn of the last century.

At 46% it is soft, smoky and coastal. Sea brine, smoke and a black pepper kick ride over a gentle vanilla under the smoke. The texture is oily and full, the smoke threaded with salt. Pepper and sea salt see out a long finish. This is Skye's famous peppery single malt.