Talisker Diageo Special Releases 2002 20 Years Old 1981

A distillery bottling of Talisker, a 20 year old Skye malt from 1981 and bottled at 62%. Only 9000 bottles were released. Set at Carbost on Skye's wild west coast, Talisker has distilled since 1830. Water comes from the Cnoc nan Speireag, the Hawk Hill, springs above the distillery.

Distilled in tall stills with U shaped lyne arms and condensed in worm tubs, from peated Glen Ord malt, building the smoky, briny Skye character. Maturation in Oloroso sherry laid smoked dried fruit over the peat. At this age it is mellow and waxy, the smoke folded into a rich, maritime body. Years in oak round the smoke, the pepper and brine settling with the wood. 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. The peat is medium rather than heavy, leaving the smoke balanced and coastal.

At 62%, undiluted, it is bold and smoky. The Oloroso brings smoked dried fruit and a nutty depth, and sea brine, smoke and a black pepper kick ride over a vanilla from the refill oak beneath. The mouthfeel is oily, the smoke carried on a peppery body. A long, warming, peppery finish lingers. This is Skye's famous peppery single malt.