Talisker 10YO Scotch Whisky

This is one of the most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the world. This a rich and powerful Talisker. On the nose, powerful peat-smoke with just a hint of the sea-water salt of fresh oysters, with a citrus sweetness. On the palate, a rich dried-fruit sweetness, clouds of smoke, strong barley-malt flavours, warming and intense. Peppery at the back of the mouth. To finish, a huge, long, warming and peppery in the finish with an appetizing sweetness.

• Distillery: Talisker Distillery
• Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  
• Region: Isle of Skye, Scotland
  
• Alcohol: 45.8%
  
• Volume: 700ml
• Goes with: Neat or over ice

It is double distilled to create a rich, deep character embodying the maritime characteristics of a coastal whisky, and then aged for a minimum of 10 years in American oak casks. Every sip is a taste of the Isle of Skye itself, one of the most remote, windswept yet beautiful landscapes in Scotland.

The oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, Talisker has enjoyed a long and very successful history. It has been the recipient of numerous accolades and medals from prestigious national and international competitions, and boasts an incredible core range.

The distillery was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, on the shores of Loch Harport, an area steeped in tradition and local custom, where Scotch Gaelic is still spoken. Talisker remained under the MacAskill's stewardship until 1898, when the Dailuaine-Talisker Distillers Company acquired it under the charge of Thomas Mackenzie. They extended the distillery in 1900, before selling the company in 1916 to a consortium including Distillers Company Limited. Following a relatively stable and calm period for Talisker, a still-house fire tragically destroyed the distillery in 1960. Thankfully, the distillery was completely rebuilt meticulously according exact copies of the old stills, and five replicas of the original stills were constructed to maintain the preservation of the original Talisker flavour.

The distillery has changed hands only once since this period, after Diageo added Talisker to its considerable portfolio. It has marketed the brand as part of its Classic Malts range in 1988. Talisker has been a welcome addition to this established series ever since, despite the fact that the distillery itself is pretty unusual. Talisker Distillery has the strange distinction of housing an odd number of wash stills to spirit stills, counting two wash stills and three spirit stills in total. The third spirit still is a remnant from an era in which Talisker used to produce triple distilled malt whisky, which was stopped in 1928, and the extra spirit still was simply never removed or decommissioned.

Talisker Distillery also possesses another striking feature - swan neck lye pipes. The shape of these pipes means that vapour from the stills loops on its way to the worm tubs, so some of the alcohol is already condensed before it has reached the cooler. The alcohol then runs back into the stills and is distilled again. While these features may seem pretty bizarre, some would say that it is these intricacies that help create the distinctive Talisker character, and it's all the better for it.

Anyone who knows the process of making whisky knows that this character isn't just affected by the methods and equipment used, however, but by the base ingredients as well. Talisker has used the same malted barley since 1972, a supply bought in from Glen Ord after it abandoned it's own onsite maltings. This malt is typically peated to a phenol level of approximately 18–22 parts per million (ppm) which, combined with a decidedly brazen terroir and mineral-rich water from Cnoc nan Speireag (Hawk Hill), helps to form a singular profile of new-make spirit, which tends to be aged in American oak casks. 

Currently, Talisker's annual output ranks at almost three and half million litres of unmistakable Scotch whisky. 

• Master - 2015 The Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business) - Highlands & Islands under 12YO
  
• Double Gold - 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Single Malt Scotch under 12YO
  
• Gold Outstanding - 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition - Scotch Single Malt - Island
  
• 2nd Place - 2015 International Whisky Competition - Best Single Malt Scotch (Islands)
  
• 96/100 Points - 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
  
• Gold - 2014 International Spirits Challenge - Distillers' Single Malts 12YO & under
  
• Silver - 2013 Malt Maniacs Awards - Daily Dram
  
• Gold - 2013 The Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business) - Highlands & Islands under 12YO
  
• Silver - 2016 International Wine & Spirit Competition - Scotch Single Malt - Island
  
• Silver - 2014 The Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business) - Highlands & Islands under 12YO
  
• Silver - 2017 International Wine & Spirit Competition - Scotch Single Malt - Island
  
• Silver - 2014 International Wine & Spirit Competition - Scotch Single Malt - Island
  
• Bronze - 2014 World Whiskies Awards - Islands Single Malt 12 Years and Under