Talisker

Translation: water hole

Region: Iceland

Yes, it can be very fierce at Talisker.

And that does not just apply to the character of the malt, which is also praised as the "lava of the cuillins". (Where "Cuillins" means the imposing mountain range that rises dramatically on Skye's horizon.)

In November 1960, the distillery was destroyed by a band. The copper fuel boilers were then heated directly by a coal fire. One of the employees inadvertently opened a valve on the Spirit Still No. 1, the distillate ran over, became inflamed - and that was for the time being with Talisker.

Two years later, the distillery was rebuilt, down to the smallest detail of the original. So that certainly nothing changes the taste of the malt, the Robert Louis Stevenson once called the "King o 'drinks".

A little history

Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill founded Talisker in 1831 on the shores of Loch Harport in the remote west of Skye. After the death of the brothers, the distillery initially had a difficult time: The subsequent owners either went bankrupt or went to jail. It was not until the time of Alexander Grigor Allan and Roderick Kemp that things started to rise again at the end of the 19th century.

In 1900, the distillery received its own pier, which greatly simplified the transport. In addition, a field railway was built, which connected production facilities and the houses for the employees.

It was not until 1928 that Talisker switched from burning three times (as is common, for example, in Ireland) to the typical two-time burning of Scotland. Incidentally, until 1972 the distillery malted it itself. Today, she draws her distinctly malted malt, like most distilleries in Scotland, from external malting plants.

What do I actually have in the glass?

Fire. Pepper. Power and depth. Peat, spiciness and sweetness. Talisker is not unlike the mighty Islay malts like Lagavulin or Ardbeg, but has its own character.

3 reasons to love Talisker

1) Because everything is the same as it used to be.

2) Because the road to distillery is such a charming sheep slalom.

3) Because you really should love everything that comes from Skye anyway.

The one drama for the lonely island

Try the "Talisker 57 ° North". The name refers both to the geographical length of the distillery (57th longitude) and to the alcohol strength. Water addition thoroughly recommended.

numbers and facts

Address: Carbost, Isle of Skye, Inverness-shire IV47 8SR

Founded: 1831 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill

Status: active

Owner: Diageo

Capacity: approx. 2,000,000 liters

2 wash stills (14.706 l)

3 spirit stills (11,024 l)

Water: Private, unnamed sources and Burn on Cnoc nam Speireag

Visitor Center: Yes

Telephone: +44 (0) 1478 614308

Website: www.malts.com