Talisker Distiller’s Edition

Situated on the shores of Loch Harport, Talisker Distillery is heavily influenced by its location on the Isle of Skye it embodies the spirit of the rocky, storm-lashed island and its strong, steadfast people. The distillery was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, who leased the Talisker House from Clan MacLeod and eventually converted it into a distillery. When a new lease for the distillery was negotiated between the MacAskills and Clan MacLeod in the second half of the 19th century, the annual rent settled upon was 23.12 and a ten-gallon cask of the best Talisker Whisky available.

Talisker Single Malt Whisky is made from malted barley sourced from the Muir of Ord, a village in Highland, Scotland. The barley is lightly peated to approximately 18 phenol parts per million, which contributes a slightly smoky flavor profile to the whisky. Once the barley has been malted and peated, it is mashed using soft water drawn from one of the 14 underground springs that rise from Hawk Hill Talisker has been using the same water source since it was founded nearly two centuries ago. I’m restless at heart so you’ll find me poking my nose into the mash tun at all hours, says Mark Lochhead, the distillerys manager. After the barley has been mashed, it is fermented in the distillerys wooden washbacks before being twice distilled through Taliskers copper-pot stills. The stills are equipped swan-shaped lye pipes and worm tubs, which gives Talisker whisky its signature, full-bodied flavor profile.