Scotland, Isle of Skye. Distillery operational. Owner: Diageo

A leading single malt in the Six Classic Malts range first released in the late 1980s, Talisker was already well-known to fans of peated whisky. In the 1970s, the malt was found in an 8 year old version (45.8%) and a 12 year old version (43%). The 1980s saw the addition to the label of the famous dandy Johnnie Walker, who replaced the distillery's coat of arms which had been used up until this point (50s, 60s and 70s). A key supplier of malt to the blends Johhnie Walker, Te Beag, White Horse and Isle of Skye, Talisker was for many years limited to just two expressions, the Classic Malts and Distillers Edition. From 2001, however, bottlings became more common, allowing the vaults to release venerable versions aged for 20, 25, 30 and 35 years, culminating in 2016 with the release of a Talisker 40 Year Old in the Rare Malts Selection (45.7%) limited to just five bottles worldwide. It was the first and most likely the last, as, like Lagavulin, this edition of Talisker is unique in the history of the Rare Malts range.

Located on the rugged island of Skye in north-west Scotland, the Talisker distillery (Norse for “sloping rock”) defies the elements to produce superb single malt whiskies from the pure and fresh water of 21 underground springs underneath Hawk Hill near the distillery. It uses a traditional production method characterized by slow cooling, which ensures the whiskies are imbued with a full body.
Bottled at cask strength after 35 years’’ maturation, this single malt distilled in 1977 boasts unique aromatic balance and subtlety. The rich, complex and refined aroma palette underneath its dark burnished gold colour reveals beautiful notes of crisp, fresh yellow fruits accompanied by spicy nuances and a salty finish that recalls the distillery’’s location in the heart of the North Atlantic.
The oldest whisky every bottled by this company.