Talisker 1990 Tactical (Douglas Laing)

A Talisker single malt, selected and bottled by Douglas Laing, a 16 year old release from 1990, drawn from cask DL 3801 and bottled at 50%. 317 bottles in all. Talisker, first built in 1830 on the Minginish peninsula of Skye, is a Diageo Classic Malt. After a stillhouse fire in 1960, the five stills were rebuilt as exact replicas to keep the character.

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. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a vanilla beneath the smoke. Mid age brings a deeper, oilier smoke and a warming peppery lift. The U shaped lyne arms add reflux and an oily refinement to the spirit. The worm tubs build the full, oily body that carries the smoke and pepper. For most of its life Talisker stood alone on Skye, until Torabhaig opened in 2017. Carbost is a tiny port on the wild west coast of Skye.

At a natural 50% it is powerful and oily. Soft vanilla and honey from the cask, while peat smoke, citrus and a peppery warmth lead. It is bold and coastal, the peat and pepper to the fore. It finishes smoky, salty and warming. This is a coastal Island malt with a chilli kick.