Torabhaig Distillery Reserve 2023 - 58.1%

 

From the distillery

Distilled Year: 2018
Stated/Calculated Age: 5 years
Bottled Year: 2023
Cask Types: Porter Cask
Release Date: 13/09/2023
No of Bottles Released: 920
Size: 70 cl
Strength: 58.1% Vol.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Pale gold in colour, forms a thin line which beads before slowly descending as thin, oily  legs.

Nose: Sweet, phenolic peat smoke, lemon citrus, vanilla, malt, Heather honey and salty sea breeze.

Palate: An initial abv hit is followed by caramel, stone fruit, hops, oak spice, malt, hints of sour beer, subtle smoke and a prickle of black pepper. With water, it becomes slightly bitter and woody.

Finish: Quite astringent, woody oak with mildly bitter hops, wisps of bonfire smoke and just a hint of pickled walnuts.

Overall: This is likely to be one of those whiskies which proves to be Marmite-level divisive. It's interest lies in the diversity of the notes in both the palate and the finish, some are very pleasant whilst others are a little unusual to say the least. The mix of peaty smoke, citrus, sweet caramel, woody oak and off-beer sourness is curious but is just about kept in balance. There's also a significant amount of initial heat in this one which isn't helped with water as it brings out a little too much oak for me.

It's definitely different, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to try it. Whilst it probably wouldn't be at the top of my list of whiskies to rush out and buy, I certainly wouldn't say no if offered another dram.

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.

Transparency: this sample was received free of charge for independent review. The author has no affiliation with the distillers and no goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested.