Talisker 25 Years Old

This official Talisker single malt, a 25 year old and bottled at 54.8%. The outturn was 5862 bottles. Talisker, founded in 1830 by the MacAskill brothers on the shore of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye, is a Diageo Classic Malt. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, around eighteen to twenty two parts per million.

It was worked through the distillery's looped stills and worm tubs, from medium peated malt, for the peppery, maritime spirit Talisker is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the peat and pepper lead. At this age it is mellow and waxy, the smoke folded into a rich, maritime body. Refill oak lets the distillery's peppery, briny character lead. Talisker was for nearly two centuries the only working distillery on the Isle of Skye. 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.

At a hearty 54.8% it carries real weight. Smoke, salt and a warming pepper, with a quiet vanilla from the barrel. Soft smoke and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. The finish runs oily, smoky and warm. This is a smoky, peppery Island whisky.