Malt of the Month – Talisker 10 Year Old

George Hutton, our Wild Boar Master of Malt, is getting quite lyrical as he takes us ‘Over the Sea to Skye’ in his latest Malt of the Month.

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward! the sailors cry;
Carry the lad that’s born to be King
Over the sea to Skye.

The Skye Boat Song is a Scottish folk song recalling the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. It tells how Bonnie Prince Charlie, disguised as a serving maid and assisted by Flora MacDonald, escaped in a small boat after the defeat of his Jacobite rising.

The Island of Skye, steeped in romantic heroism, rugged and dramatic landscapes and a  variety of wildlife – sea eagles, dolphins, whales and otters to name a few –  is where we are travelling for this month’s ‘Malt of the Month’.

Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt

Talisker distillery is based in Carbost, Isle of Skye, the only distillery on the island. Founded in 1830,  when a new lease for the distillery was negotiated with the Chief of Clan MacLeod in 1982  the annual payment was to be £23.12s and a ten-gallon cask of best-quality Talisker.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Powerful peat-smoke with just a hint of sea-water saltiness, fresh oysters, and a citrus sweetness
• Body: Full
• Palate: rich dried-fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong barley-malt flavours, warming and intense. Peppery at the back of the mouth
• Finish: Huge, long, warming and peppery in the finish with an appetising sweetness

Next Whisky Tasting Evening

Join George, our master of malt on Sunday 25th January 2015 at The Wild Boar Burns Night Celebrations followed by Whisky Tasting with Katie Reed from The Lake Distillery.

To keep up-to-date with future tasting nights follow the blog or take a look at The Wild Boar Events page for our upcoming events.