Talisker 6 Years Old 2008 Hepburn’s Choice (Langside Distillers)

This Talisker was from the independent bottler Langside Distillers, a 6 year old from 2008 and bottled at 46%. A release of 438 bottles. Talisker was founded in 1830 by the MacAskill brothers at Carbost on the Isle of Skye, and it is a Diageo Classic Malt and the island's standard bearer. Talisker is made by the sea, its character drawn from the wild Skye coast.

The spirit was made in tall pot stills with purifier loops and worm tubs, from medium peated malt, for a smoky, oily, peppery spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the peat and pepper lead. At a youthful age the smoke runs bold and the brine bright. Long maturation softens the peat into a mellow smoke over the maritime spirit. 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. An old visitors book records guests calling since the turn of the last century.

At 46% it is smooth and smoky. A smoky, briny depth with a chilli catch sit over light oak sweetness beneath the peat. A maritime salt and a chilli warmth give it real punch. A long, warming, peppery finish lingers. This is the wild maritime malt of Skye.