If you’re a whisky drinker and happen to be visiting the Isle of Skye, Talisker distillery is a must see attraction. Situated on the shores of the Minginish Peninsula, Talisker overlooks a tranquil bay that once saw barrels of its whisky floating out to ships for transport.
These days, modern transport and a pier have rendered this practice obsolete, however, the vibe of a frontier whisky distillery remains. Much of the machinery and practices employed by Talisker remain the same as they have been for decades – if not centuries!
Founded in 1830, Talisker is known for its peaty single malts that attract customers from around the world. Considering its deliciously smokey taste, Talisker is also used for blends by brands such as Johnny Walker.
I popped by Talisker and was lucky enough to get a private tour of the distillery and tasting room. My guide educated me about the process of making whisky – from start to finish.
Did you know the difference between Scotch and Bourbon? Scotch is made with malted barley while Bourbon uses corn. Scotch comes from Scotland (hence the name) while Bourbon typically comes from the USA.
That said, Talisker tends to use old Bourbon barrels to age its whisky. I found it interesting that a storied whisky distillery such as Talisker uses American barrels for its aging process. Who would have thought?
Of the whiskies I tried, I was struck by the taste and power of their 25 year old vintage. It was smooth yet strong and definitely packed a punch! It was also cool to try a whisky that was nearly the same age as me!
Overall, Talisker is located in a great location and staffed by knowledgeable and friendly people who clearly have a passion for whisky. While the whisky alone is worth the visit, the people working there are wonderful stewards of a product that they all take pride in. They have all the answers to your questions and are happy to guide you through the history and process of their distillery.
If you’ve got the time, I’d highly recommend stopping by if you happen to find yourself on the Isle of Skye.
Cheers to you at Talisker! Great blog post!