A leading single malt in the Six Classic Malts range first released in the late 1980s, Talisker was already well-known to fans of peated whisky. In the 1970s, the malt was found in an 8 year old version (45.8%) and a 12 year old version (43%). The 1980s saw the addition to the label of the famous dandy Johnnie Walker, who replaced the distillery's coat of arms which had been used up until this point (50s, 60s and 70s). A key supplier of malt to the blends Johhnie Walker, Te Beag, White Horse and Isle of Skye, Talisker was for many years limited to just two expressions, the Classic Malts and Distillers Edition. From 2001, however, bottlings became more common, allowing the vaults to release venerable versions aged for 20, 25, 30 and 35 years, culminating in 2016 with the release of a Talisker 40 Year Old in the Rare Malts Selection (45.7%) limited to just five bottles worldwide. It was the first and most likely the last, as, like Lagavulin, this edition of Talisker is unique in the history of the Rare Malts range.

A Talisker cask strength distilled in 1989 and bottled in 1999 for the Friends of the Classic Malts. The Friends of the Classic Malts are a group of enthusiasts who are offered exclusive bottlings from Diageo’’s various distilleries featured in the Classic Malts of Scotland. The Classic Malts were launched in 1988 with six brands: Lagavulin, whose famous 16 year old was released in the same year, Talisker, Oban, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. It was extended in 2005 to include Clynelish, Caol Ila, Glen Elgin, Royal Lochnagar and Knockando. A limited edition of 7,000 bottles.