Talisker 30 Years Old 1953 (G&M)

Single malt Talisker, an independent Gordon & MacPhail bottling, a 30 year old Skye malt from 1953 and bottled at 40%. Established in 1830 by Loch Harport, beneath the Cuillin hills, Talisker is the maritime malt of Skye. Its 10 year old was chosen as the Island malt of Diageo's Classic Malts series.

It was drawn off stills whose looped lyne arms and worm tubs build a rich, oily spirit, from peated malt, for a smoky, coastal spirit with a chilli kick. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the peat and pepper lead. Very old Talisker turns profound, oily and smoky yet soft and waxy. Sea air works into the warehouses by Loch Harport, lending a saline thread. The signature is a black pepper kick, the so called chilli catch, over maritime smoke. 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 40%, it is rounded. A coastal peat smoke and a peppery lift ride over a gentle vanilla under the smoke. The mouthfeel is oily, the smoke carried on a peppery body. A long, peppery finish smoulders to the end. This is Talisker's smoky, peppery Skye style.