Talisker 5 Years Old 2008 Cask #LD 10502 (Douglas of Drumlanrig)

This is a Talisker single malt, chosen and bottled by Douglas of Drumlanrig, a 5 year old release from 2008, drawn from cask LD 10502 and bottled at 59.9%. 298 bottles in all. Talisker, first built in 1830 at Carbost on the Isle of Skye, is a Diageo Classic Malt. Water comes from the Cnoc nan Speireag, the Hawk Hill, springs above the distillery.

The spirit was made in tall pot stills with purifier loops and worm tubs, from medium peated malt, for a smoky, oily, peppery spirit. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, vanilla beneath the maritime smoke. At this age the smoke is vigorous and the pepper sharp over a briny spirit. Long ageing turns the smoke gentle while the pepper lingers. 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 hearty 59.9% it carries real weight. Sea brine, smoke and a black pepper kick ride over light oak sweetness beneath the peat. The texture is oily and full, the smoke threaded with salt. A long, briny finish ends on black pepper. This is Skye's famous peppery single malt.