Talisker The Managers’ Choice 15 Years Old 1994

A distillery bottling of Talisker, a 15 year old from 1994, drawn from cask 7147 and bottled at 58.6%. Just 582 bottles were filled. Talisker, founded in 1830 by the MacAskill brothers by Loch Harport, beneath the Cuillin hills, is a Diageo Classic Malt. Water comes from the Cnoc nan Speireag, the Hawk Hill, springs above the distillery.

It was drawn off stills whose looped lyne arms and worm tubs build a rich, oily spirit, from peated malt, for a smoky, coastal spirit with a chilli kick. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the smoky spirit. Mid age brings a deeper, oilier smoke and a warming peppery lift. Sea air works into the warehouses by Loch Harport, lending a saline thread. An old visitors book records guests calling since the turn of the last century. Medium peated malt from Glen Ord gives the smoke, the water from the Hawk Hill springs.

Undiluted at 58.6%, it is deep and smoky. The Oloroso brings smoked dried fruit and a nutty depth, and sea brine, smoke and a black pepper kick ride over a gentle vanilla under the smoke. The mouthfeel is oily, the smoke carried on a peppery body. The finish is deep, oily and peppery. This is Skye's famous peppery single malt.