Talisker distillery information
The Isle of Skye not only is home to a great number of archaeological sites (some dating back as far as 7,000 BC), but it’s also where Talisker set up their distillery on the banks of Loch Harport. Founded in 1830 by the MacAskill Brothers (Hugh and Kenneth), the distillery changed hands many times over the years, and has had some bad luck in its history. A raging fire destroyed the still-house, causing it being partially rebuilt between 1960 and 1962, with replicas of the old stills in order to preserve the distinguished Talisker character. In 1972, the malting floors at the distillery were demolished, and the stills converted to use steam heating. The distillery still employs the use of traditional worm tubs (as opposed to the more modern condensers), though the current ones (modeled after the old worm tubs) replaced the older ones between 1997 and 1998
By 1988, then-owners United Distillers (a predecessor of today’s Diageo) launched Talisker as part of their “Classic Malts” series (which also includes Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin and Oban).
Talisker tends to be more peaty than other Island whiskies, due to peat being used during the Kilning process, as well as the water that originates in springs above the distillery and subsequently flows over peat. The whisky was mentioned by poet Robert Louis Stevenson in one of his poems, “The Scotsman’s Return from Abroad”: “The king o’drinks, as I conceive it. Talisker, Islay or Glenlivit“.
Talisker whiskies
Talisker’s core range now consists of:
- 10 Year Old
- Skye, a softer, no age statement expression designed as an approachable entry point into the range (45.8% ABV, worth reconfirming against the current bottle)
- Storm, no age statement, leaning into smoke and spice
- Port Ruighe, no age statement, finished in ex-Port casks
- Distiller’s Edition, matured in American oak casks and finished in ex-Amoroso Sherry casks
- 18 Year Old
- 25 Year Old
- 57° North, bottled at 57.8% ABV
There are also regular Limited Edition and Special Release bottlings, including periodic older expressions such as a 30 Year Old.
Distillery info:
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Talisker |
| Region | Island |
| Country | Scotland |
| Logo |  |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1830 |
| Water source | Cnoc-nan-Speireag (Hawk hill) |
| Malting floor | No |
| Owned by | Diageo |
| Address |
Talisker Distillery |
| Visitor centre | Yes |
| Website | https://www.malts.com/en/talisker |
| https://www.instagram.com/talisker/ | |
| Community | Malts Club |
| Map |
Distillery Setup:
Component |
Capacity |
Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Mash tun | 8 tonnes | 1 (Lauter) |
| Washback | 53,000 litres | 8 (Oregon pine) |
| Wash still | 14,700 litres | 2 |
| Spirit Still | 11,000 litres | 3 |
| Expected yearly output in LPA (Litres of pure alcohol) | 3,500,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Talisker was founded in 1830 by brothers Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill on the banks of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye, an island also known for archaeological sites dating back as far as 7,000 BC. The distillery changed hands many times over the years and has had its share of bad luck.
Yes. A fire destroyed the still house, and it was partially rebuilt between 1960 and 1962 using replicas of the original stills to preserve Talisker’s distinctive character. In 1972, the malting floors were demolished and the stills converted to steam heating.
Yes. Talisker continues to use traditional worm tubs rather than modern condensers, though the current ones, modelled after the originals, replaced the older tubs between 1997 and 1998.
Yes. By 1988, then-owners United Distillers, a predecessor of today’s Diageo, launched Talisker as part of their Classic Malts series, which also includes Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin and Oban.
Talisker tends to be more peaty than other Island whiskies because peat is used during kilning, and because the water, drawn from springs above the distillery, flows over peat on its way down.
Yes. Talisker was mentioned by the poet Robert Louis Stevenson in his poem “The Scotsman’s Return from Abroad”: “The king o’ drinks, as I conceive it, Talisker, Islay or Glenlivit”.
The core range includes a 10 Year Old; Skye, a softer, no-age-statement entry point; Storm, no-age-statement and leaning into smoke and spice; Port Ruighe, no-age-statement and finished in ex-Port casks; Distiller’s Edition, matured in American oak and finished in ex-Amoroso Sherry casks; an 18 Year Old; a 25 Year Old; and 57 Degrees North, bottled at 57.8% ABV. Regular Limited Edition and Special Release bottlings also appear, including periodic older expressions such as a 30 Year Old.
Yes, Talisker has a visitor centre.