Talisker Skye
The smoothest Talisker, and therefore the best one to start with. Round and sweet, with fresh citrus and sweet smoke, yet still featuring the salty notes and sharp spices the house is known for.
Smoother thanks to the wood
Talisker Skye takes its name from the island where the distillery has stood since 1830, but has no age statement. What makes it different from the 10 Years is the wood: it matures in a combination of reused and toasted American oak casks, with a slightly higher proportion of toasted casks. The toasted oak brings sweetness and makes the whisky rounder.
The result is a Talisker with a round, sweet flavour profile: fresh citrus, sweet smoke, sharp spices and the traditional salty notes of the house. More approachable, but unmistakably Talisker, and at the same 45.8% as the rest of the range. In 2015, it won a gold medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.
In brief
Citrus and sweet smoke
Citrus and sea air
Fresh citrus and sweet smoke, with the salty sea air characteristic of Talisker. Lighter and fruitier than the 10 Years.
Round and sweet
Round and sweet, with toasted oak providing smoothness. The smoke is present but does not take center stage.
Sharp spices
Sharp spices and a salty note. The pepper is still there, but milder than in the 10 Years or the Storm.
Tasting profile of Talisker Skye neat. A few drops of water bring out the citrus even more.
How to taste Talisker Skye
The producer recommends it neat or with water. But Skye is also the Talisker that works best with a mixer.
Neat with a drop of water
4 cl in a tulip-shaped tasting glass and leave to stand for a few minutes. Taste it neat first, then with two drops of water: the citrus and sweet smoke open up.
Tasting glasses →Skye highball
40 ml Talisker Skye in a tall glass full of ice, topped with 120 ml of chilled soda and a lemon zest. The gentle smoke and salt make it a surprisingly refreshing long drink.
To the highball →In hot chocolate
A tip from the producer: 30 ml of Skye in a mug of hot chocolate. The sweet smoke and salt work like sea salt in chocolate.
Mugs with handles →Classics for a smooth, smoky malt
Skye has enough character to stand up in a cocktail, yet is gentle enough to serve as a complete base.
Highball
Whisky, plenty of ice and chilled soda. With Skye, you get sea salt and sweet smoke in a refreshing long drink.
Whisky Sour
Whisky, lemon, sugar and egg white. Skye's citrus pairs beautifully with the lemon juice.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, sugar and bitters over a large ice cube. With Skye, softly smoky and slightly briny.
Godfather
Whisky and amaretto over ice. The sweet almond and salty smoke complement each other.The right glass for Talisker Skye
A tulip-shaped tasting glass to capture the citrus and smoke, a tall glass for the highball and a tumbler for Sour and Old Fashioned.
More Talisker flavours
Talisker
Where it all began. The brand page tells you everything about Talisker: its origins, varieties and classic cocktails.
Go to Talisker →
Talisker Storm
More smoke, brine and pepper than the 10 Years. A building storm for smoke lovers.
View Talisker Storm →
Talisker Port Ruighe
Double-matured in port casks: creamy smoke with plum, dark fruit and cocoa. For after dinner.
View Talisker Port Ruighe →Everything about whisky: the varieties, the best-known brands and the cocktails.
Questions about Talisker Skye
Can't find your question here? Read more on the Talisker page or browse our cocktail recipes.
Everything about Talisker →