| Drink | Whisky Sour with smoky single malt |
| Whisky | Talisker Storm, 45.8%, no age statement |
| In our recipe | 5 cl Talisker Storm, 4 cl lemon juice, 2 cl sugar syrup, egg white, 2 dash Angostura |
| Served | In a Riedel glass, garnished with fennel top |
| Whisky Sour since | Oldest known mention: 4 January 1870 (Waukesha Plain Dealer) |
| Distillery | Talisker, Carbost, Isle of Skye. Founded 1830 |
About Talisker Whisky
Talisker is, as you know, on the Isle of Skye, and it is the only distillery on the island. The idea behind Talisker Storm is to revive the style Talisker had when people began to "rejuvenate" used wood casks. Scotch whisky has traditionally always been matured in casks that have held other spirits or fortified wine, but when a cask has been reused a number of times it is "dead" and no longer gives anything to the whisky.
So it was found that casks could be rejuvenated by scraping them clean inside and then "toasting" the inside, after which the cask works like new. Talisker Storm is a blend of whiskies, some of which have matured in these "rejuvenated" casks, others in used bourbon casks.
Talisker Storm: smoke and salt for a sour
According to Master of Malt, Talisker Storm came out in early 2013. It has no age on the label, is bottled at 45.8% and matured in refill casks and toasted American oak casks. Master of Malt describes the nose as briny, with banana, barbecue smoke and citrus and a little white pepper, and the palate as thick with wood smoke, brine and chilli. It calls it probably the smokiest whisky from Skye.
| Distillery | Talisker |
| Place | Carbost, Isle of Skye |
| Founded | 1830 (opened 1831) |
| Owner | Diageo |
| Strength | 45.8% |
| Age | No age statement |
| Maturation | Refill casks and toasted American oak casks |
Talisker: the only distillery on Skye
Talisker was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill and opened in 1831 in Carbost. According to Wikipedia it is the only distillery still operating on Skye, and the whisky is medium peated, around 18 to 22 ppm phenol. The water comes from springs above the distillery, including Cnoc nan Speireag, which runs over peat. See the whole Talisker range.
Whisky Sour history in brief
Nobody knows who came up with the Whisky Sour. The oldest known mention is in the Waukesha Plain Dealer in Wisconsin on 4 January 1870. Jerry Thomas' book from 1862 has the first sour recipes, but they are made with brandy, gin and rum, not whisky. According to The Whiskey Wash, egg white first appears in a Whisky Sour in a book from 1922. Diageo Bar Academy writes that the Sour descends from punch, and that egg white and bitters came later. The whole story is in our classic Whisky Sour recipe. You can also read more at Diageo Bar Academy.
| 1862 | Jerry Thomas' bartender's guide: sours with brandy, gin and rum |
| 1870 | First known mention of a whisky sour |
| 1922 | First written mention of egg white in a Whisky Sour |
| 2013 | Talisker Storm is released (according to Master of Malt) |
Why Talisker Storm in a Whisky Sour?
A Whisky Sour is spirit, lemon and sweetness. Bourbon gives the classic version, but Scotch works too: Diageo Bar Academy itself uses Johnnie Walker Black Label in its. With Talisker Storm you get smoke, salt and pepper on top of the lemon, and the egg white rounds it off. It is strong, 45.8%, so it fills the glass.
How to make a better Whisky Sour with Talisker Storm
Squeeze the lemons yourself with the lemon squeezer. The recipe only uses a dry shake. Many bars then shake again with ice so the drink gets colder, so try both. The fennel top in the garnish gives a hint of anise to the smoke. If you want the classic version, take our Whisky Sour with bourbon. If you want a Scotch Sour without smoke, look at the Scotch Sour from Nc'nean. And if you want something lighter with Talisker, there is a whisky tonic.
Frequently asked questions about Whisky Sour with Talisker Storm
What is a Whisky Sour with Talisker Storm?
A Whisky Sour where the bourbon is swapped for the smoky single malt Talisker Storm from Skye. The result is a lemon-fresh drink with smoke, salt and pepper.
What goes into a Whisky Sour with Talisker Storm?
5 cl Talisker Storm, 2 dash Angostura Bitters, 2 cl sugar syrup, 4 cl freshly squeezed lemon juice and egg white. It is topped with water and garnished with fennel top.
Can you use Scotch in a Whisky Sour?
Yes. A Whisky Sour made with Scotch is called a Scotch Sour. Diageo Bar Academy itself uses Johnnie Walker Black Label in its Whisky Sour.
Who invented the Whisky Sour?
Nobody knows. The oldest known mention is in the Waukesha Plain Dealer in Wisconsin on 4 January 1870.
What is Talisker Storm?
A single malt with no age statement from Talisker on Skye, bottled at 45.8%. According to Master of Malt it is matured in refill casks and toasted American oak casks.
When did Talisker Storm come out?
According to Master of Malt, in early 2013.
Where does Talisker come from?
From Carbost on the Isle of Skye. The distillery was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill and is owned by Diageo today. It is the only distillery still operating on Skye.
Does a Whisky Sour need egg white?
It is not necessary, but the egg white gives foam and a rounder drink. The oldest known mention of egg white in a Whisky Sour is from 1922, according to The Whiskey Wash.
What is the difference between bourbon and Talisker Storm in a Whisky Sour?
Bourbon gives the classic version. Talisker Storm adds smoke and salt, and according to Master of Malt it is probably the smokiest whisky from Skye.
Which glass should a Whisky Sour with Talisker Storm be served in?
We use a Riedel glass and garnish with fennel top.
Want to make a Whisky Sour with Talisker Storm?
You need Talisker Storm, Angostura Bitters, a shaker and a Riedel glass. You will find more ideas among the other whisky drinks.
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