Talisker Skye

The oldest working distillery on Skye, Talisker was founded 1830 by brothers Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill. By late Victorian times it had become one of the largest selling single malts going from strength-to-strength, showing that then as now, the whisky had its own distinct style. But in 1960, the still-house was destroyed as flaming whisky ran into Loch Harport, that set it ablaze. The rebuilt distillery contained exact replicas of the old stills, featuring U shaped lye pipes that yield a form of double distillation and together with cooling in traditional worm tubs. These features still give Talisker unique texture and character.

Sweet stuff, toffees and vanilla ice cream up front, almost grain-like. Becomes increasingly honeyed. There's a little coastal influence here too, just hints of a sweet Caol Ila perhaps, with very restrained smoke. Honeyed toasted oak, sappy wood, only a little pepper and smoke, apple turnovers and hints of lemon and lime Opal Fruits. Fennel seeds. Drying and slightly less sweet, hints of spice and smoke.