This whisky is the first permanent core single malt from the Scottish artisan distillery of Torabhaig . Taigh, which translates as ‘house’ from the local Gaelic language, will be released in small batches. It follows the Legacy Series, which introduced the distillery from the western Hebridean isle of Skye to the world. It has been matured in first-fill and re-fill ex-bourbon casks, plus a small parcel of ex-Madeira cask matured whisky.
Torabhaig (pronounced torra-vague) was founded in 2016 by Mossburn Distillers. It is housed in old farm buildings dating back to the 1820s and located in the village of Sleat on the south western tip of Skye. Production started in January 2017 and the visitor centre opened a year later in March 2018. It is one of two distilleries on Skye, with Talisker being the other. They use barley peated to level of 55-60ppm (Phenol Parts per Million). This puts it on a par with some of the heavier Islay malts. The annual capacity is half a million litres, but they are currently operating at 400,000 litres.
Torabhaig Taigh is released at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. To celebrate the milestone of its inaugural permanent release, the distillery has collaborated with Scottish poet Iona Lee. She has written a poem inspired by its island home on the Sleat Peninsula of Skye. It is available via specialist whisky retailers in selected world markets. A bottle will cost £47/ US$65.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is pale gold and the nose is peppery and peaty with an underlying sweetness. Intense smoke dominates early on with aromas of dying bonfire embers and ash, dried salty seaweed and some flint-like minerality. A peppery heat catches in the nostrils. This is tempered by further aromas of golden syrup, green apple and sultana. A hint of candied lime peel also sits in the background.
On the palate this whisky is bold, smoky and zesty. The candied lime comes through strongly at the beginning and battles nicely with the dominant peat smoke. The confected sweetness and hint of bitterness from the lime compliments the ashy characteristics. Dive deeper and damp moss and seaweed notes evole, as does a distinct salinity. There is a hint of clove oil too.
Other sweeter characteristics take time to develop – think of golden syrup, soft toffee and plump, sugary sultana. These are quickly joined by notes of vanilla custard, baked apple with butterscotch sauce and a hint of lime marmalade. Further hints of blanched almond (or is it marzipan?), cinnamon stick and toasted coconut also come through.
The finish is long with the smoke particularly lingering for an age. This emphasises the ashiness especially and becomes drier, more gripping and slightly bitter with time. The fruit and sweet elements fade slightly quickly to leave this smoke, plus some oak tannins, to smoulder away nicely. Mouth watering and refreshing.
What’s The Verdict?
The Skye distillery of Torabhaig have done plenty of groundwork prior to this first permanent release. A series of limited edition have established the brand, its flavour profile and a following of whisky drinkers, while bagging several major awards along the way. Torabhaig Taigh combines sweet notes from the casks with the distillery’s signature peat smoke characteristics from their distillate to great effect. It is youthful, feisty and bold. And very enjoyable.
