Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength is the latest addition to the distillery’s Legacy series. It is around 5 years old and the barley was peated to 78+ ppm of phenols (which results in 23 ppm in the spirit). Maturation took place in ex-bourbon and refill oak casks. The first batch comes at 61.1% ABV but obviously future batches will be slightly different.
The distillery says this is the last time we’ll see this heavily peated style of Torabhaig. As it closes the Legacy series, the focus is now on the next chapter, a Torabhaig 10 Year Old due to arrive in 2028. Until then there will be Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine (sherry casks) and Allt Breacach (Madeira casks).
Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength (61,1%, OB 2023)
Nose: pretty fresh, with prominent coastal air and lemons alongside warming bonfire smoke. Plenty of smouldering ashes and wet wool. Then biscuity vanilla, apple sweetness and a dash of honey. Light pipe tobacco and dried grassy notes, as well as a peachy note after a while.
Mouth: thick smoke with oily notes, dough, briney notes and lemon peels. Some bready notes and white pepper. Strong, dry and in-your-face peat as well. Then some vegetal notes and a herbal, medicinal bitterness, as well as olives in brine. Just a tad spirity now, although water helps to make it more accessible.
Finish: long and hot, leaving a chalky note, spiky wood spice and plenty of smoke.
In a blind tasting I’d say this is closer to Islay than to Talisker. This cask strength Torabhaig is fierce and packs a lot of peaty punch. With time this could evolve into a fantastic whisky, but for now it is slightly held back by its youth. Available from the Torabhaig website or retailers like The Whisky Exchange for instance.