Talisker – A Distillery Visit
It is Thursday 22nd March 2012 and Whisky Boy Jim and his wife Jacqueline together with two family guests Philip and 
Lorraine Giles from Ireland are setting off for a well planned long weekend, which will include a trip to Talisker Distillery.
Jim e-mailed Liz Robson of Diageo to let them know that we intended to visit and review Talisker Distillery. Liz organised that we arrive at the Distillery at 10 am on Friday to be met by Fiona McIntyre who would look after us and show us around the Distillery.
We all were staying at the wonderful Plockton Inn on the mainland just a short drive from the Skye Bridge, we left the Inn at approx. 8.30 am on Friday morning which would give us more than enough time to drive to Talisker and take in all the stunning views of the dramatic drive through the Cuillins.
Talisker Distillery
Carbost,
Isle of Skye,
IV47 8SR
telephone…01478 614308
website www.malts.com
Owners.. Diageo.
Talisker is also part of the Classic Malts Selection which also include:-
Knockando
Cardhu
Clynelish
Cragganmore
Dalwhinnie
Glen Elgin
Oban
Royal Lochnagar
The Singleton of Dufftown
Caol Ila
Lagavulin
Glenkinchie
Talisker Distillery was built at Carbost (the name comes in part from the Norse, Bost meaning ‘Farm’) on the banks of Loch Harport. This is the only distillery on the Isle of Skye and has dramatic views of the magnificent Cuillins.
On arrival we went to the visitor centre and was met by the bubbly Fiona, after all the introductions were made Fiona gave us a very special and up close tour of this grand old Distillery. After the tour we were shown into the Tasting Room where the large table was laid out with each of us having four tasting glasses containing the following drams :-
Talisker 10 Year Old.
Talisker 18 Year Old.
Talisker 57 Degree’s North.
Talisker Distillers Edition, Distilled in 2000 and Bottled in 2011.
After sipping these exceptional drams, Fiona even let us taste some new spirit and the outstanding 25 Year Old.
All four of us had a fabulous two and a half hours in the company of Fiona, who on her own made this visit educational and exciting. Fiona is very knowledgeable about all things Talisker and she has a very bubbly, humorous and enthusiastic attitude to her job. Fiona’s strengths and attitude must make her an asset that Talisker/Diageo should be very proud to have.
There are many reasons why people visit the Isle of Skye, the Cuillins, mountain climbing, hill walking, the scenery, the history/romance of this fine island and some fine dinning experiences, but a must on every visitors checklist is a trip to Talisker and a taste of their uniquely fine Whisky.
We all left the Distillery having enjoyed some wonderful hospitality and the interaction with Fiona and other members of the staff, Jim also left with a bottle of Talisker’s Distillers Edition which was purchased at the very well stocked shop, which not only has many of the Classic Malts but has many gift ideas.
Look out for our tasting of the Distillers Edition, it will be coming soon.
To finish The Whisky Boys must give Diageo, Liz Robson and especially Fiona McIntyre a BIG THANK YOU for a delightful time at Talisker.
