Whisky Passion on Display at The Heart Cut

The wife and husband team of Georgie Bell and Fabrizio Leoni gave up their day jobs last year to launch The Heart Cut, an independent… Read More

The wife and husband team of Georgie Bell and Fabrizio Leoni gave up their day jobs last year to launch The Heart Cut, an independent bottler dedicated to finding great drams from all over the world. They’ve released seven single casks so far from distilleries in Israel, Finland, Denmark, and the U.S., and did it all while Georgie was pregnant with twins. We’ll talk with Georgie Bell about The Heart Cut and work-life balance this week on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Irish Whiskey tourism is up from a year ago, but still below pre-pandemic levels, while sales are lagging at Möet Hennessy and Rémy Cointreau. 

Episode 1067: July 28, 2024

Links: The Heart Cut | Irish Whiskey Association | GlenDronach Distillery | Spirits Canada | Liquor Control Board of Ontario | Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards | New Orleans Spirits Competition | Murray McDavid | Tomatin | Glencadam | 15 Stars Whiskey | World Whiskey Society | Johnnie Walker | The Glenrothes | Highland Park | Torabhaig

Photo courtesy The Heart Cut.

Torabhaig Produces Hill Of Peat

Isle of Skye-based Torabhaig Distillery has released a Hill of Peat – otherwise known as Cnoc Na Mòine (Gaelic for ‘hill of peat) – as the third installment in their Legacy Series. Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine was matured in a combination of Pedro Ximenéz and Oloroso sherry-seasoned casks, bottled at 46% alcohol by volume [92 […]

The post Torabhaig Produces Hill Of Peat first appeared on Whisky Critic – Whisky Reviews & Articles – Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Isle of Skye-based Torabhaig Distillery has released a Hill of Peat – otherwise known as Cnoc Na Mòine (Gaelic for ‘hill of peat) – as the third installment in their Legacy Series.

Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine was matured in a combination of Pedro Ximenéz and Oloroso sherry-seasoned casks, bottled at 46% alcohol by volume [92 proof] and is said to offer notes of, obviously, peat smoke, along with cedar, leather, pepper and vanilla.

Only 90,000 bottles of Torabhaig Cnoc Na Mòine are being made available for $70 per bottle worldwide.

The post Torabhaig Produces Hill Of Peat first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..

2023: The Year in Whisky

A lot happened in the world of whisky during 2023, and with the help of WhiskyCast Community app members, we’ve identified the top ten whisky… Read More

A lot happened in the world of whisky during 2023, and with the help of WhiskyCast Community app members, we’ve identified the top ten whisky stories of the year. Join us as we count them down in the news, then listen as Milam & Greene’s Heather Greene shares her lessons on whisky entrepreneurship in WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also have some of your year-end dramming choices in our Community segment, too. 

Episode 1037: December 31, 2023

Links: Milam & Greene | Torabhaig Distillery | Smokehead | Lagavulin | Bruichladdich

Review / Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength

This whisky is the latest limited edition single malt whisky to be released from the Hebridean distillery of  Torabhaig (pronounced tora-vaig). the newest distillery on the isle of Skye. The Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength is a cask strength …


This whisky is the latest limited edition single malt whisky to be released from the Hebridean distillery of  Torabhaig (pronounced tora-vaig). the newest distillery on the isle of Skye. The Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength is a cask strength version of their popular Allt Gleann bottling, which was first released in 2021. Allt Gleann translates as 'old glen' from the local Gaelic dialect. The whiskies featured in Batch Strength were distilled in 2017 and 2018, and filled to ex-bourbon barrels. It forms part of The Legacy Series alongside the original Allt Gleann expression and other bottlings. Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength is released at 61.1% ABV and will be available in selected world markets, plus at the distillery shop on Skye. A bottle will cost £75/ €85/ $US89.  

The Torabhaig distillery 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. They use barley peated to level of 55-60ppm (phenol parts per per million), which puts it on par with some of the heavier Islay malts. Batch Strength features barley with a higher level of 78ppm in the barley. The annual capacity is half a million litres, but they are currently operating around the 400,000 litre mark.

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is vibrant pale gold and the nose is a mix of sweet and smoky aromas. The peat smoke feels sooty and shy, while the sweetness is confected. Aromas of damp moss, dried grass and bonfire embers mingle with marshmallow, honey and vanilla icing sugar. Something mineralic also sits in the background.

On the palate this whisky feels instantly oily in texture and mineralic in feel. The smoky and peaty notes are to the fore and dominate early proceedings. There are plenty of charred and sooty notes. They are supported by dying bonfire embers, hot charcoal, damp moss and dried hay or grass. There are also softer smoky notes in the background, which are reminscent of burnt heather.

Some much needed sweetness battles through the smoke and provides some welcome balance. The confected notes from the nose are evident, especially the icing sugar and marshmallow, and are joined by some lovely butterscotch and heather honey characteristics. There is also a good shot of vanilla essence and this seems to bind the elements together. A late hit of white pepper gives further power, as does some tart green apple.

The finish is spiky, hot and spicy. The white pepper increases and is joined by some green chilli-like heat. The sweet characteristics go rapidly to leave the mineralic, spicy and peaty notes to do battle. This gives you plenty to think about as the finish becomes incresingly dry, ash and hot.

What's The Verdict?

This Batch Strength version of the Torabhaig Allt Gleann certainly packs a seriously peaty punch. It is youthful and full on, but with plenty of character and potential. Torabhaig is one of the new artisanal distilleries in Scotland that is on our radar and the couple of whiskies that we have tried to date have not disappointed. It will be interesting to see what a bit of extra age and time in oak does to these whiskies. We look forward to finding out.


Torabhaig Returns To Legacy Series With Batch Strength

Torabhaig Distillery – located on the Isle of Skye – has released the latest Legacy Series limited edition whisky with a batch strength single malt, Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength. Torabhaig’s Legacy Series showcases the journey of whisky up to 10 years old. Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength was matured in American oak first-fill bourbon […]

The post Torabhaig Returns To Legacy Series With Batch Strength first appeared on Whisky Critic – Whisky Reviews & Articles – Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Torabhaig Distillery – located on the Isle of Skye – has released the latest Legacy Series limited edition whisky with a batch strength single malt, Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength. Torabhaig’s Legacy Series showcases the journey of whisky up to 10 years old.

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength was matured in American oak first-fill bourbon barrels and re-fill whisky barrels for more than five years, bottled at cask strength of 61.1% alcohol by volume [122.2 proof], has a PPM (phenol parts per million) of 22.8 and is said to offer notes of brine, peat and smoke.

Only a “few hundred casks” of Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength are being made available for $90 per bottle.

The post Torabhaig Returns To Legacy Series With Batch Strength first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Inbox / The Week’s Whisky News (September 22, 2023)

Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisk…



Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/piece of news/PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. 
 
We were away last week for a much needed holiday and we returned to find our inbox full of news about new releases. There are many so we have slightly altered the format to accommodate the many new bottlings that have been announced. Here we go ...
 
________ 
 


The independent bottling company of Douglas Laing & Co. have been busy announcing two different sets of new releases. First is the XOP Single Cask Diamond Anniversary set, a selection of six single casks chosen to commemorate the company's 75th anniversary. The bottlings include Blair Athol 30 years old, Macallan 35 years old, Port Ellen 40 years old, Cameronbridge 45 years old, Port Dundas 45 years old and Speyside's Finest 55 years old. A price for the set was not given in the press release. 
 

Douglas Laing have also released two seasonal limited editions - the Big Peat Christmas 2023 Edition and Scallywag Winter Edition Batch #4. The Scallywag is made from only Speyside single malts that have been matured in 100% ex-sherry casks, both Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez. It is bottled at 52.5% ABV and will cost £65. The Big Peat is bottled at the natural cask strength of 54.8% ABV and features only Islay single malts. It will cost £60. Both are of natural colour and non chill-filtered.


The Torabhaig distillery on the isle of Skye has launched a limited edition - the Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength. The whisky is a cask strength version of their popular Allt Gleann bottling and was distilled in 2017 and 2018. It forms part of The Legacy Series, is bottled at 61.1% ABV and has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels. A bottle will cost £75/ €85/ $US89. 
 
Elsewhere, Fife distillery Eden Mill have released a blended malt named The Guard Bridge. This features single malts from the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland, including some from Eden Mill, that have been matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. It is bottled at 46% ABV and will cost £45.


The Islay distillery of Bowmore have added two further expressions to its rare Timeless Series - the Bowmore 29 years old and 33 years old. The 29 years old features whiskies distilled and filled to cask in 1991 and 1992. These casks were a combination of European oak ex-sherry and American oak ex-bourbon. It is bottled at 53.7% ABV and will cost £1,500/ $US1,800 in domestic markets. The 33 years old has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels and undergone a finish is a selection of ex-sherry casks. It is bottled at 45.5% ABV and will be available in global travel retail, costing £2,300/ $US2,800. Both have just 3,000 bottles available.


The independent bottler of Gordon & Macphail have released the latest bottling in their Private Collection range - the Gordon & Macphail 1949 from Glenlivet Distillery. The whisky is 74 years old and was filled to a single re-fill ex-sherry butt on New Year's Day 1949 and bottled in March of this year. It is released at 49.3% ABV and there are just 192 bottles. These will sell for £35,000 each.
 
The closed Lowland distillery of Littlemill has also released a very old whisky - the Littlemill 45 years old - Chapter 1. The bottling is the first of four planned for the new Vanguard Collection.  The collection will celebrate the pioneers of of Scotland's oldest licensed distillery. The whisky was distilled and filled to a re-fill American oak cask in October 1977, before undergoing a five-year finishing period in a first-fill ex-Oloroso sherry hogshead. It is released at 50.5% ABV and there are just 250 bottles. Each will cost £12,500.



The leading Scotch blended brand of Johnnie Walker has revealed a limited edition of its popular Blue Label - the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami. The whisky has been created by Master Blender Emma Walker in collaboration with renowned Japanese chef Kei Kobayashi and is designed to show the enigmatic flavour of umami. It is bottled at 43% ABV and will cost £285/ $US350. 
 
Elsewhere, the Highland distillery of Glendronach has released the latest bottling in its premium Grandeur series. The Glendronach Grandeur Batch 12 is over 29 years old and features rare Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks married together by Master Blender, Dr. Rachel Barrie. It is bottled at 49.2% ABV and will cost £870.


The Irish single pot still brand of Redbreast has launched the third bottling in its Iberian series of whiskeys. The Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition has been finished in ex-Tawny Port casks sourced from the Douro Valley in Portugal, and created by Master Blender Billy Leighton. The initial ageing was in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It is bottled at 46% ABV and will cost £79/ €100/ $US100. 
 
The Islay distillery of Kilchoman has released the 13th edition of their 100% Islay bottling. The Kilchoman 100% Islay Batch 13 features only barley grown on the distillery farm that were harvested in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and then matured for a minimum of eight years. There are 13,000 bottles and it is released at 50% ABV. A bottle will cost £85.


The east Highland distillery of Fettercairn has announced the fourth annual bottling of its 16 years old expression. The Fettercairn 16 years old 2023 Edition features whisky matured in first-fill ex-Port pipes and ex-bourbon casks. It has been created by blender Gregg Glass and is released at 46.4% ABV. It is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. A bottle will cost £82. A one-litre bottle will also be available in global travel retail.

Independent bottler Elements of Islay has released a former Feis Ile limited bottling to the global market. The Elements of Islay Beach Bonfire has been created by blender Oliver Chilton and features several different Islay single malts. It is bottled at the natural strength of 54.5% ABV and will be available in selected world markets including Asia, Europe and the USA. A bottle will cost £80/ $US115.00/ €85.


Get Social With Us
Follow us for regular whisky updates and activities throughout the week.

A New Era for Blended American Whisky (Episode 1004: May 14, 2023)

Blended American Whisky has been ignored by connoisseurs for many years, largely because the category has been dominated by cheap blends using grain neutral spirits. Now, there’s a new era for Blended American Whisky as blenders explore the flexibility the category offers, from being able to blend Bourbons and Ryes with other styles of whisky to being able to use whisky matured in used barrels. We’ll talk with master blender Ari Sussman about the trend in this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Australian distillers are in a dispute over what should be called a “single malt,” Russian officials raid Read More »

Blended American Whisky has been ignored by connoisseurs for many years, largely because the category has been dominated by cheap blends using grain neutral spirits. Now, there’s a new era for Blended American Whisky as blenders explore the flexibility the category offers, from being able to blend Bourbons and Ryes with other styles of whisky to being able to use whisky matured in used barrels. We’ll talk with master blender Ari Sussman about the trend in this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Australian distillers are in a dispute over what should be called a “single malt,” Russian officials raid a factory producing counterfeit Scotch Whisky and other spirits, and we’ll learn what not to do when your golf bag catches on fire. In our Behind the Label segment, we’ll look at what researchers say is the proper amount of water to add to your whisky, and our latest Community poll asks whether you’d prefer to try a 50-year-old whisky or a 10-year-old bottled in 1920.


Links: Whiskey JYPSI | Mammoth Distilling | Sydney Morning Herald | Penelope Bourbon | Spoetzl Brewery | Griffo Distilling | Dogfish Head | Elijah Craig | The Dalmore | Highland Park | Douglas Laing & Co. | Golf Digest | Talisker | Torabhaig Distillery | Foods

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Review

The second release from Sky’s second distillery, the Torabhaig Allt Gleann is made from “select parcels of casks” distilled in 2017 and 2018. Released in 2022 that would make this, at best, a 4-year-old whisky. Though to make that true the 2018 casks would all need to have been distilled in early 2018. I’d wager […]

The post Torabhaig Allt Gleann Review appeared first on The Whiskey Jug.

The second release from Sky’s second distillery, the Torabhaig Allt Gleann is made from “select parcels of casks” distilled in 2017 and 2018. Released in 2022 that would make this, at best, a 4-year-old whisky. Though to make that true the 2018 casks would all need to have been distilled in early 2018. I’d wager that’s not the case, but does it really matter?

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Review

The Malt Nuts routinely taste young Islay whiskies covering every distillery on the Island and those tastings have nailed home the fact that young peated whisky can indeed be delicious. Though, anyone who tasted early Kilchoman already knew that. They exploded because of how good their young stock was.

With all of this in mind, I approach the Torabhaig Allt Gleann with an open mind and palate. Let’s get to drinkin’!


Torabhaig Allt Gleann – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Islands, Scotland
Distiller: Torabhaig

Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: NAS (3+ Years)
ABV: 46%

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Price: $70

Related Whiskey

Talisker 10
Talisker Select Reserve Game Of Thrones House Greyjoy
Talisker Distiller’s Edition 2015
1979 Cadenhead’s Talisker 18 Years
Talisker 35 Years

White background tasting shot with the Torabhaig Allt Gleann bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.
“A whisky shaped by Skye, but made by Torabhaig.” – Torabhaig

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Tasting Notes

EYE
Light straw

NOSE
Waxy – candied – vanilla, minerality, smoke, citrus, malty sweetness and some copper.

Obviously young and spirit-driven, but nothing off-putting. It’s actually kinda nice.

PALATE
Minerality, smoke, waxy – candied – vanilla, malty sweetness, briny saline, and some copper and light citrus and butterscotch.

Surprisingly tasty and multi-faceted given what this is. I’m digging it.

FINISH
Long -> Peat, caramel, oak, malt and a light sweetness fade out warmly.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Great balance, medium body, and a soft buttery feel.


Torabhaig Allt Gleann – Overall Thoughts and Score

I’m a fan of young, peated, Islay whiskies and now I can say I’m a fan of young Skye whiskies as well. When done right, you get a crisp minerally profile that lets you get to know the spirit more than the cask without it coming across as raw. It’s a fun and interesting way to absorb the character of the distillery.  Though are we surprised?

Young Talisker is pretty good and while I might catch hell for saying this, Skye is kinda like the younger sibling to Islay when you’re talking smoky Scotch hierarchies. So it makes sense that this young peated Skye whisky is hitting all those young peaty notes so well. Torabhaig Allt Gleann is tasty already and it makes me excited to see where they go from here.

SCORE: 3/5 (above average, worth checking out ~ B- | 80-82)

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Review $70
Overall
3
  • Nose
    (2.5)
  • Palate
    (3.5)
  • Finish
    (3)
  • BBF
    (3)
Sending
User Review
0 (0 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Back Label

The post Torabhaig Allt Gleann Review appeared first on The Whiskey Jug.

Review / Torabhaig Allt Gleann

The Allt Gleann is just the second ever single malt release from Torabhaig (pronounced tora-vaig), the newest distillery on the isle of Skye. This follows the inaugural Legacy Series 2017 bottling that was released earlier this year in February and sol…


The Allt Gleann is just the second ever single malt release from Torabhaig (pronounced tora-vaig), the newest distillery on the isle of Skye. This follows the inaugural Legacy Series 2017 bottling that was released earlier this year in February and sold out immediately. Allt Gleann, meaning 'old glen' in Gaelic, is the second of four planned releases for 2021 and 2022 in The Legacy Series. The new whisky has been created from just 30 first-fill and re-fill ex-bourbon barrels that were distilled and filled in 2017. It is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. Torabhaig Allt Gleann is available from the distillery shop and via selected specialist whisky retailers. A bottle will cost £50.

The Torabhaig distillery 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, close to the mainland ferry terminal on the south western tip of Skye. Production started in January 2017 and the visitor centre opened a year later in March 2018. They use barley peated to level of 55-60ppm (phenol parts per per million), which puts it on a level with some of the heavier Islay malts. The annual capacity is half a million litres, but they are currently operating around the 400,000 per annum mark.

Our tasting notes

The colour is pale lemon yellow and the nose is powerful and peaty. The hefty peat smoke rises from the glass and has a distinct earthy and seaweed-like quality to it - think of damp moss, dried kelp and bonfire embers. Underneath are further aromas of green grass, crisp apple, malted cereals and a whiff of salty brine.

On the palate this whisky feels robust and hot. Peppery spices and that punchy peat smoke lead the way. The combination has a hot, acrid and savoury feel to it. Black and pink peppercorns mix with green chilli and clove, with the ashy ember-like smoke drifting around them. There is also the damp earth and moss from the nose, plus the dried seaweed and salty sea spray and brine. It grips the tastebuds and becomes a little chalky and flinty with time. A distinct underlying note of malted cereal is also evident.

Then comes some much needed sweetness to temper the robust savoury notes. These are barely detectable to begin with but evolve as the savoury notes mellow a touch. Vanilla and honey come through first, followed by white chocolate and coconut cream. Then comes a hit of sweetened cooked fruits - imagine baked apple with bitterscotch sauce and poached pear with milk chocolate.

The savoury nature returns for the long finish as the sweet and fruity characteristics fade after their brief appearance. This brings back the warmth and spiciness taking the whisky in a drying and peppery direction once again.

What's the verdict?

It is always interesting to taste a whisky from a new distillery, so we were delighted to receive this sample from Torabhaig. This is a very expressive whisky for one so young and has a feisty and fiery edge to it. The peat smoke and savoury notes dominate but it shows potential. For us, these notes need taming a little to give balance and make this an easier whisky to digest and enjoy.

Torabhaig should also be congratulated for putting this whisky out at a competitive and accessible price. This is not always the case with new distilleries when they release early limited editions, so £50 for a bottle (if you can get hold of one) is an excellent price. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Torabhaig and how their whiskies will evolve with a bit of extra time in the cask.