Talisker The Distillers Edition 10 Years Old 2005

This official Talisker single malt matured to 10 year old from 2005, drawn from cask TD-S: 5RD and bottled at 45.8%. 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. For nearly two centuries it was the only working distillery on Skye, until Torabhaig opened in 2017.

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. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, vanilla beneath the maritime smoke. Younger here, it keeps a fierce peat and a clear chilli kick. Refill oak lets the distillery's peppery, briny character lead. 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.

Bottled at 45.8%, it is rounded. Sea spray, smoke and cracked pepper, with a quiet vanilla from the barrel. Beneath the smoke run brine, citrus and a peppery oil. The finish is long, smoky and peppery. This is the peppery maritime malt of Skye.