Whisky: Torabhaig 3 Year (2017/2018) The Legacy Series Second Release

Country/Region: Scotland/Islands

ABV: 46%

Cask: First Fill and Refill Bourbon Barrels

Age: 3 Years (Distilled 2017-2018, Bottled July 2021)

Nose: Maritime brine and with smoke, tar, and the bounty of the sea— from algae to oysters, occasionally metallic with citrus and herbal tobacco.

Palate: Medium to light-bodied, citrus, brine, and smoke; herbal tea and lemon, metallic at times, tarry ropes and wood; acrid edge to the sweetness. Water brought out more fruits and citrusy sangria.

Finish: Medium-length with gentle brine, wood, and smoke.

Score: 7 (81)

Mental Image: Morning at the Harbour Inn

Narrative & Notes: A cold morning down by the harbor with a sharp maritime brine, corded ropes, wispy smoke, and a kiss of algae on the pier. Stewed fish heads and smoked oysters with a touch of tin carried the whisky toward a hearty breakfast with a side of lemon tea and a puff of pipe tobacco. Medium to light-bodied with crisp citrus, brine, and wood smoke. Herbal tea with a side of lemon arrived with rusted corrugated tin, tarry ropes, and weathered wood. Firmly still in the harbor with some meaty fish and distant diesel fumes. Water brought more salted fruits, watermelon, and citrusy sangria to the maritime flavor profile.  The finish was medium-length with gentle brine, wood, and smoke.

I love what they are doing at Torabhaing Distillery. Much like the first Legacy Series release, it was hard to believe this delightful whisky was only three or four years old. The flavors were rounded and well-balanced between sweet, savory, and salt. I love the combination, though it left me wondering what is distinctive about the distillery and its style. I cannot say anything has stood out as particularly recognizable— some quality that immediately cues you in on the provenance of the malt.

Maybe that does not matter because, hey, if you do something well enough, your baseline quality can be the distinctive aspect of the distillery. As a preview of things still to come, I enjoyed this maritime and citrusy delight and look forward to seeing what comes from Torabhaig in the future.

Image Credit: Torabhaig Distillery