Torabhaig Allt Gleann

Located in a beautifully restored 19th century farmstead at the south end of the island, Torabhaig is only the second Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery ever to be licenced on the Isle of Skye. 

Following a 4-year restoration and build, Torabhaig became fully operational in January 2017. The new distillery was designed to allow whisky production for the next two hundred years, and included the provision of a removable roof so that the copper pot stills can be replaced without having to disturb the original building again.

From the Torabhaig website

As we have bedded in our new distillery, we have sought the true expression of Torabhaig. Through tireless trial and dialogue, then using the findings to inform each batch, we have evolved a distinctive signature style, our own flavour profile that we describe as Well-Tempered Peat.

This distillery signature will be the foundation upon which we build our legacy, and we look forward to witnessing this style develop over our first four expressions to be released under the Legacy Series label, as we dig deeper into the complexity of the flavour of peat to deliver truly exceptional and balanced character.

Allt Gleann is the second expression of the Torabhaig Single Malt Legacy Series, bottled in small batches drawn from no more than 30 casks at 46% without colouring or chill filtration.

Tasting notes:

Appearance: Pale straw colour, beads before quickly falling as fine legs.

Nose: Sweet, ashy, peat, salty sea breeze, vanilla, light orchard fruit notes, floral heather and a hint of tobacco leaf.

Palate: Oily mouthfeel, peat smoke with a touch of tar, coastal salinity, poached apples and pears, more vanilla, young oak, hints of tobacco savouriness and peppery heat. Addition of a few drops of water provides more creaminess on the palate, but at the expense of many of the more delicate notes.

Finish: Becomes sweeter with baked apple and vanilla coming to the fore, all underpinned by waves of peat smoke and briny sea breeze.

Summary: For such a young whisky, this already has plenty of character. As the packaging suggests, the dominant notes are smoke and brine, but this is balanced with lighter, fruity notes and a little savouriness. The youthfulness is there in the form of peppery spice but it’s still extremely drinkable neat. Bottled at 46% but the addition of water seemed to detract from the overall experience rather than enhance. 

The evolution from the first in the Legacy series is noticeable but subtle, there’s a little more complexity and the peat presence is more evident. It’s young but already shows a huge amount of promise and I’ll look forward to further releases in this series to see how this signature flavour profile develops with more time in the cask.

If you would like more information on this whisky, the distillery or any of the other Torabhaig whiskies, follow the link to the company website.