Est. 1830 • Carbost, Isle of Skye

Talisker

"Made by the Sea"

Talisker is an island single malt made at Carbost, on the shore of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye. Built in 1830, it is the oldest working distillery on the island. The house style is maritime and bold: sea salt and black pepper over a gentle, smoky peat, with a warming finish that has long earned it the nickname of a fireside dram. It is Highland whisky turned toward the sea rather than the smoke of Islay.

1830

Founded

Islands

Region

Isle of Skye

Home

Maritime

House Style

The Oldest Distillery on Skye

Where Talisker sits in the island picture

Talisker was built in 1830 at Carbost, on the western shore of Loch Harport, and it remains the only working distillery on the Isle of Skye that has stood for that long. The sea is never far away, and it runs right through the whisky. Salt spray, brine and a coastal edge sit at the heart of the spirit.

What sets Talisker apart is the pepper. There is peat smoke, but it is restrained next to the big Islay malts, and over the top of it comes a warming crackle of black pepper and chilli heat on the finish. The body is full and a little oily, which is why the 10 Year Old drinks so satisfyingly and why the older bottlings turn waxy and rich with age.

To place Talisker among its neighbours, read our guide to the whisky regions of Scotland and browse the wider Scotch whisky catalogue.

The Range

How the core Talisker bottlings sit against each other, everyday to special occasion

The everyday Skye dram

Talisker 10 Year Old

The house style at its clearest. Sea salt, cracked black pepper and a wisp of smoke over sweet barley. Warming and coastal, and the bottle to start with.

The smokier no-age-statement

Talisker Storm

A darker, more brooding take. Deeper peat smoke and brine wrapped around the peppery core, with a touch more sweetness. Made for a wilder mood.

The sherry-finished one

Talisker Distillers Edition

The 10 finished in sweet Amoroso sherry casks. The maritime pepper stays, softened by dried fruit and a raisined richness. A rounder, fuller pour.

The mature Talisker

Talisker 18 Year Old and older

The 18 Year Old and beyond. Extra years in oak turn the smoke gentler and the body waxier, layering orchard fruit and toffee over the salt and pepper. Scarce, and priced for the occasion.

How to Drink It

Talisker takes water well. Pour the 10 Year Old neat or with a few drops of water and let the salt and pepper open up. It makes a bracing Highball, long over ice with soda, where the smoke and brine carry the drink, and it stands up to a peppery whisky sour. Keep the older bottlings for sipping slowly, no mixer needed.