Talisker

TALISKER DISTILLERY

The history of the Talisker Distillery is complex and dramatic. It first began in 1818, when Lauchlan MacLean purchased property on the Isle of Skye that he planned to use for sheep farming. By 1829, the monetary potential of a distillery was too much to pass up, and he began building the original distillery. The church, against the idea, proclaimed that it would be, “One of the greatest curses that could befall it or any other place.” Despite the lack of support from the church, specifically the minister at that time Minister McLeod, the property thrived after the completion. For years after that, the property was passed from person to person, but nearly all went bankrupt during the whisky depression.

Once the economy stabilised in 1892, the Talsiker Distillery was booming once again and was fifty times more valuable than it was 35 years earlier. With its increase in success, the distillery could no longer function without a pier. Minister MacLeod denied approval until his death in 1899, which finally allowed for it to be built.

In 1960, a valve on the No.1 spirit was not shut properly and the liquor poured over the fire underneath. This fire destroyed the entirety of the still house and it didn’t reopen until two years later.

Of the seven distilleries that were once on Isle of Sky, Talisker is today’s lone survivor, which has earned it ‘cult status’ and more than 50,000 visitors each year. ADDRESS: Talisker Distillery (Diageo Plc), Carbost, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SR, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK T: +44 01478 614308 W: www.malts.com

VISITOR’S CENTRE OPENING HOURS: November-March: Monday-Friday: 10am-4:30pm Tours: 10:30am, noon, 2pm and 3:30pm April-May: Monday-Saturday: 9:30am-5pm Tours throughout day until 4pm June: Monday-Saturday: 9:30am-5pm; Sunday: 11am-5pm Tours throughout day until 4pm July-August: Monday-Friday: 9:30am-5:30pm; Saturday: 9:30am-5pm; Sunday: 11am-5pm Tours all day, last tour 1 hour before closing September to October: Monday-Saturday: 9:30am-5am Tours throughout day, last tour at 4pm

CLOSED: Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; Boxing Day; New Years Day and 2nd January

ADULTS: $6.00 CHILDREN (8-17): $3.00

TOURS: Talisker Classic Distillery Tour: $10.00 - 45 Minutes Guided tour of the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, See views of Cuillins Have opportunity to taste of Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Talisker Flight: $25.00 - 1 hour 30 minutes Tour of distillery Informal tasting of several expression of Talisker Single Malt

Talisker Tasting Tour: $40.00 - 2 hours Tour of distillery Taste 5 expressions of Talisker Complimentary nosing glass