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Lost in the western expanses of Scotland, the Isle of Skye gave the world a unique, but truly exceptional sort of scotch.
An outstanding drink with a pronounced peaty-sea spirit, borrowing a powerful, rebellious character from a harsh homeland, is highly appreciated by experts and lovers: Jim Murray gave the drink 95 out of a possible 100 points, writer Robert Stevenson called him “the king of whiskey” along with “Islay” and Glenlivet.
The special status of island scotch is confirmed by international awards and frequent mentions in the cinema.
famous brands of whiskey
History of the Talisker brand
The only still functioning distillery in the mysterious land of Skye was founded by visiting landowners – the MacAskill brothers. For the construction of the plant, the western coast of the island, rich in seaweed and clean peat water, was chosen.
Having issued a lease on Talisker House and resettled local farmers from the surrounding areas, the brothers Hugh and Kenneth began construction.
The enterprise near the city of Karbost began its work in 1830: it took several years to find the best recipe and technology. During the experiments, a unique distillation system was created, which makes it possible to obtain spirits unlike any of the existing whiskey varieties with accents of smoke, citrus, sulfur, salt and pepper. However, the assertive entrepreneurs did not achieve success: in 1848, the distillery went bankrupt.
The company was also unlucky with new owners: it was resold at least three times until it became part of the Dailuaine-Talisker Distillers Co in 1898. In 1928, the company’s leaders decided to abandon the triple distillation used by the distillery for hundreds of years.
The middle of the XNUMXth century brought new troubles to the plant: Talisker was recovering for a long time after a major fire and was forced to close its own malthouse.
Only towards the end of the century did success come to the brand: in 1988, it was included in the famous “six” of classic Scottish molts and opened a guest center for tourists. After the modernization of production, the Talisker collection was replenished with new drinks, and the distillery itself became part of Diageo. Single malts produced by the distillery are included in many popular blends, such as Johnnie Walker, White Horse, Isle Of Skye, and others.
single malt whiskey
Manufacturing specifics
The amazing taste and “violent” marine character of the brand’s drinks does not appear by chance. The company uses local raw materials and the original distillation system, preserved after numerous reconstructions:
Soft heather-scented water is obtained from the Cnoc nan Speireag (falcon hill) spring.
The medium peaty malt comes from the Glen Ord distillery.
The distillation is carried out twice on five tall U-shaped stills.
Coils, which have already become a rarity, are used to cool alcohols.
Types and tastes of Talisker
Skye
Lively drink filled with smoky sweetness, sea and spices. IWSC Gold Winner 2015. Dedicated to the Isle of Skye, rich in contrasts.
Color: bright gold with copper splashes.
Nose: salty citrus with accents of mango, seaweed and orange. Taste: at first – soft, after – spicy-spicy with a dry, long peaty finish.
Storm
A powerful, fresh scotch of pure gold tone that fills you with confidence.
Aroma: Sweet malty with hints of red berries, smoke, salt and pepper. The mild taste contains spicy, nutty, peaty and spicy notes.
Finish: smooth, long lasting, warm.
Dark Storm
Aged in heavily charred oak barrels, a drink with an indomitable marine character.
Colour: amber gold.
Aroma: salty, smoky, with hints of fragrant spices, oak, stewed apples.
Taste: smooth, sweet, with accents of fresh fruit, blackcurrant, licorice and spices.
Finish: smoky, long, warming.
Port Ruighe
Scotch, double aged in port wine barrels, is dedicated to pioneering Scottish merchants.
Combines a powerful marine character with the sweetness of juicy dark fruits.
Colour: Rich, honey.
Main notes: ripe plums, hot spices, peat.
Finish: long, memorable, with accents of cocoa and smoke.
10 Year Old
Classic aged Talisker. The perfect drink to end the day: smooth, smoky, soothing.
Colour: bright gold.
Main notes: peat, salt, citrus fruits, dried fruits, malt, pepper.
Finish: warm, spicy-sweet.
Distillers Edition
Winner of more than a dozen medals. A perfect scotch that embodies the bittersweet harmony of crunchy peat, pepper and juicy fruit.
Colour: chestnut brown.
Aroma: pungent and smoky.
Taste: rich, oily with notes of malt, heather, sherry, lingering chocolate-vanilla finish.
57 ° North
A powerful, explosive drink of increased strength (57,8%), named after the latitude of the distillery.
Color: gold.
Aroma: Clean, intense, creamy fruity with a slight hint of smoke, hints of seaweed, heather and vanilla.
Taste: sweet, smoky-resinous, with an oily, spicy finish.
18 Year Old
A multi-award winning scotch with an assertive personality.
Color: copper. Bouquet: juicy, fruity, with hints of plums, orange peel, toffee, resin and smoke.
Finish: pleasant, warm, sweet-spicy.
25 Year Old
A mature whiskey with a golden hue, smooth and deep, with a recognizable spicy-salty character and a slow bittersweet smoky finish.
30 Year Old
Elegant aged scotch tape with a creamy-wax texture for true connoisseurs.
Color: deep gold.
Aroma: soft, intensely fruity, with hints of algae and burnt wood.
The palate is dominated by notes of smoke, oak, almond milk, sweet fruits and salt.
Aftertaste: peppery-sea, warming, long.
Neist Point
A drink named after a cape in the west of the island.
Colour: deep gold with copper highlights.
Aroma: Burnt pepper, with hints of seaweed, fresh bread, wood and red fruits.
Taste: multifaceted, combining salty, honey, peppery and chocolate notes.
Aftertaste: warm, smoked-mint, with accents of resin, ash, ginger, lingering smokiness.
How to drink whiskey Talisker
It is better to drink Talisker pure or with the addition of a small amount of water.
Ideal snacks: smoked salmon, aged cheeses, oysters, clams.
Cocktail lovers can mix island whiskey with soda, ice, white pepper, vodka, citrus juice.
whiskey cocktails
Relevance: 27.04.2019
Tags: Whiskey and bourbon, Scotch brands