Talisker 1952 Black Label, Golden Eagle (G&M)

This Talisker was from the independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail from 1952 and bottled at 40%. Set at Carbost on Skye's wild west coast, Talisker has distilled since 1830. Talisker is made by the sea, its character drawn from the wild Skye coast.

Distilled in tall stills with U shaped lyne arms and condensed in worm tubs, from peated Glen Ord malt, building the smoky, briny Skye character. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light sweetness under the peat. No age is given, but the peppery smoke marks it as classic Talisker. A patient maturation suits the bold, maritime Talisker character. Its 10 year old is the Island malt of Diageo's Classic Malts selection. 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. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, the water from the Hawk Hill springs.

At 40% it is supple and smoky. A smoky, briny depth with a chilli catch sit over a vanilla from the refill oak beneath. A maritime salt and a chilli warmth give it real punch. Pepper and sea salt see out a long finish. This is the wild maritime malt of Skye.