Torabhaig Legacy Sound of Sleat Batch Stength

The Distillery at Torabhaig is the second ever licenced Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye. The Excise Act of 1823 first sanctioned legal whisky distilling in Scotland almost 200 years ago, with the first licence on Skye being granted not long thereafter, so one could say it was about time.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky is inextricably linked to its place of origin, perhaps more so than any other product. The water, the land, the climate, all play a role in the character of the whisky. All these factors are also vitally important in planning a new distillery. Simply put, you cannot just build a distillery anywhere.

Some time ago, the old farmstead at Torabhaig was identified as the perfect location for a small, traditional distillery. All the factors needed to make good, robust island whisky were in place, right down to the Allt Breacach and the Allt Gleann, the burns that feed the site with the purest island spring water. The location was also fortunate to have a handsome, rugged building, rich in history and local lore. 200 years or so ago, the stone that forms this building was hauled up from the ruined castle in the bay, by horse and cart. Men toiled from dawn till dusk building this Steading which was to stand the test of time for the next 150 years or so until farming practices changed.

Our 19th century building has now been fully restored to hold the gorgeous copper stills and traditional wooden washbacks that allow Torabhaig to produce whisky here for the next two hundred years, even having built in a roof that can removed so that in time the pot stills can be replaced without disturbing the old building again.

After a painstaking 4-year restoration and build, Torabhaig has been a fully operational Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery since January 2017, the second ever on the Isle of Skye.

Sound Of Sleat Batch Strength

Behind the Torabhaig distillery is the Sound of Sleat. A narrow, untamed strip of sea dividing Skye and the mainland. Called Linne Shlèite in Gaelic. And what we’ve called the fourth chapter in our Legacy Series - now reimagined in Batch Strength.

Sound of Sleat Batch Strength is a bolder take on our evolving house style of Smoke with Taste. Peated to over 78PPM, with an in-glass phenol level of 19PPM, this release dials up the intensity while maintaining balance. A true expression of the elements, bottled at a robust 60.2% ABV.

Crafted from Concerto and Laureate malted barley, fermented over 72 hours using Pinnacle MG+ yeast, and matured exclusively in Quercus Alba American Oak - including a mix of first-fill bourbon, refill bourbon, and freshly toasted virgin oak barrels from the cooperage.

The result? A bigger, bolder dram that still carries our signature touch: expect deeper waves of coastal smoke and toasted oak, richer hits of spice, salted honey, and charred stone fruit - all leading to a long, lip-tingling finish. Like standing at the water’s edge, with the storm rolling in.

No chill-filtration. No colouring. Just unfiltered flavour, straight from the source.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Introducing itself with a balanced blast of smoke, brine, and sweet oak spice; this batch strength expression of Sound of Sleat has subtle tones of fragrant tobacco, orange barley sugar and touches of apricot and seaweed behind the peat reek.

Palate: A big but elegant whisky: zesty oak spice, bonfire embers and a waxy mouthfeel combine with hints of sweet vanilla, white pepper and a little whiff of oriental smoke.

Finish: Long and elegant with a youthful fiery spirit kick; the lingering well-knit structure comes through in abundance to give spice, capsicum and more than a little coastal nod that leaves you in no two minds of its island origins.