Talisker 24 Years Old 1953 (Connoisseurs Choice)

From Gordon & MacPhail comes this Talisker, aged 24 year old from 1953 and bottled at 43%. Talisker was founded in 1830 by the MacAskill brothers on the Minginish peninsula of Skye, and it is a Diageo Classic Malt and the island's standard bearer. For nearly two centuries it was the only working distillery on Skye, until Torabhaig opened in 2017.

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. Long ageing brings a soft smoke, dried fruit and a mellow, peppery brine. The worm tubs slow the copper contact, building the full, oily body Talisker is known for. After a stillhouse fire in 1960, the five stills were rebuilt as exact replicas. The distillery faces the water across to the hills of Skye. Talisker is made by the sea, and matured within reach of the salt air.

At 43% it is smooth and smoky. Sea spray, smoke and cracked pepper, with soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Soft smoke and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. The close is long, smoke over a chilli warmth. This is the peppery maritime malt of Skye.