Talisker 8 Years Old 2009 Cask #DL 12364 (Old Particular)

Douglas Laing bottled this Talisker single malt, an 8 year old from 2009, drawn from cask DL 12364 and bottled at 48.4%. A release of 393 bottles. Talisker was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill on the Minginish peninsula of Skye; it is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, around eighteen to twenty two parts per million.

The spirit was run through the unusual two and three still set up and cooled in worm tubs, for the rich, oily, peppery make at its heart. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a vanilla beneath the smoke. Younger here, it keeps a fierce peat and a clear chilli kick. The worm tubs slow the copper contact, building the full, oily body Talisker is known for. 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.

Undiluted at 48.4%, it is deep and smoky. Smoke, salt and a warming pepper, with soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Beneath the smoke run brine, citrus and a peppery oil. The finish runs oily, smoky and warm. This is a smoky, peppery Island whisky.