Given its location on the Isle of Skye, in the North Atlantic, there has always been a connection between Talisker and the world’s oceans. In recent years, the distillery has built a reputation for supporting maritime environmental efforts around the world. Its latest single-malt release, The Wild Blue, brings the focus closer to home.

Each bottle of The Wild Blue represents a £3 donation to Blue Marine Foundation. In fact, Talisker guaranteed a £112,608 donation, no matter how many bottles are sold – the cost of a project to restore oysters to the Solent, which in turn will improve water quality and increase biodiversity. An additional £8,820 was raised at The Talisker Wild Blue Swim Challenge in early June (timed to coincide with World Oceans Day). 

Between 7am and 5pm, 36 enthusiastic swimmers completed a total of 294 laps of a 100m course in Kent’s Joss Bay, between Broadstairs and Margate. Finisterre provided the participants with suitable swimwear for the English Channel in early summer and the Swim Dem Crew offered coaching tips.

Among the swimmers were Olympic double-gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington, Paralympic double-gold medal winner Melanie Barratt and Bafta-nominated actor James Norton, a passionate amateur swimmer. Talisker had pledged to donate £150 per kilometer completed – although the keen-eyed will spot that, on the day, they decided to double the contribution to Blue Marine Foundation. 

After the event, Adlington said: ‘Swimming in a place as breathtaking as Joss Bay, surrounded by people all driven by the same cause, was incredibly special. The Wild Blue Swim Challenge isn’t just about endurance – it’s about making a real difference.’

Norton added: ‘I have always been in awe of the ocean – it’s beautiful, powerful. Taking part in this challenge was a reminder of just how urgent it is to protect it. I’m proud to support Talisker and Blue Marine Foundation in backing projects that are actively restoring marine life and helping wildlife return to our shores.’

Many of the swimmers enjoyed a dram of Talisker The Wild Blue or a cocktail after their efforts in the water and that is a way anyone who missed the event can contribute to the worthy cause from the more comfortable position of a chair.

For those who don’t fancy the brisk chill of the English Channel, there is the option of buying a bottle of Talisker The Wild Blue. The whisky inside each bottle (which is made from 100 per cent recycled glass) spent the last 16 months of its maturation in South African coastal red wine casks. 

The effect is to highlight the classic Talisker maritime notes of edible seaweed and sea-spray salinity and add juicy red berry notes, particularly dried cranberries. Longtime Talisker fans rest assured: there is familiar beach bonfire smoke on the nose and a pink peppercorn tingle on the palate, as you’ve come to expect.

All participants must be over legal purchase age. Please drink responsibly

malts.com