Talisker 14 Years Old 1978 Cask #879 & 881 (R. W. Duthie & Co.)

R. W. Duthie & Co selected this Talisker, a 14 year old Skye malt from 1978, drawn from cask 879 & 881 and bottled at 46%. The outturn was 1572 bottles. Talisker was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill on the Minginish peninsula of Skye; it is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye. 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. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the smoky spirit. By this age the peat softens into a rounded smoke with brine and citrus. The U shaped lyne arms add reflux and an oily refinement to the spirit. Founded by the MacAskill brothers in 1830, it is Skye's oldest distillery. The worm tubs build the full, oily body that carries the smoke and pepper.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. The Oloroso brings smoked dried fruit and a nutty depth, and soft vanilla and honey from the cask, while brine, citrus and a smoky pepper lead. A sea salt and a cracked pepper lift it. The finish runs oily, smoky and warm. This is a bold Island single malt from Carbost.