Talisker 30 Years Old

This Talisker, an official release, aged 30 year old and bottled at 49.5%. Only 2970 bottles were released. Talisker was opened at Carbost in 1831 on the shore of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye; for nearly two centuries it was the only distillery on Skye. Talisker distilled three times until 1928, which is why it keeps two wash stills and three spirit stills.

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. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a vanilla beneath the smoke. At three decades and more the smoke is a soft whisper over beeswax, dried fruit and a gentle pepper. Medium peating leaves the smoke balanced rather than overwhelming. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, the water from the Hawk Hill springs. After a stillhouse fire in 1960, the five stills were rebuilt as exact replicas.

At a full 49.5% it is concentrated and oily. A quiet vanilla from the barrel, while brine, citrus and a smoky pepper lead. It is bold and coastal, the peat and pepper to the fore. Smoke, brine and pepper draw out the close. This is a bold Island single malt from Carbost.