Talisker 8 Years Old (57.9%)

This Talisker, an official release, an 8 year old release and bottled at 57.9%. Talisker was built in 1831 at Carbost on the shore of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye, and it remains Skye's most famous distillery. 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. A Caribbean Rum cask lent brown sugar and a tropical lift to the smoke. At a youthful age the smoke runs bold and the brine bright. Medium peating leaves the smoke balanced rather than overwhelming. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.9%, it is intense. The Rum cask adds brown sugar and a tropical lift to the smoke, and 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. The finish is long, smoky and peppery. This is a bold Island single malt from Carbost.