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

Behind the Torabhaig distillery is the Sound of Sleat. A narrow, powerful strip of sea dividing Skye and the mainland. Called Linne Shlite in Gaelic. And what weve called the fourth chapter of the series.

Sound of Sleat is the fourth release in the Torabhaig Legacy Series, documenting the evolution of our signature style of ‘Smoke with Taste’. This expression is crafted from a blend of Concerto and Laureate malted barley, peated to 78PPM+, and fermented with 100% Pinnacle MG yeast over a 72-hour period. It is matured exclusively in first-fill American Oak (Quercus Alba) casks and bottled at 46% without chill-filtration or colouring. The result is a deeply expressive single malt, offering delicate notes of orange, apricot, and sweet maritime seaweed on the nose, a rich palate of bonfire smoke, honey, and sea salt, and a lingering, elegant finish that captures the spirit of storms, sunsets, and the wild Sound of Sleat.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Flamed orange, grilled stone fruits, toffee apple, toasted nuts, with smoked seaweed and tobacco balanced by oaken vanilla and honey.

Palate:Zesty citrus peels and delicate woody spice, sweet, rich smoke, honeyed toast, and vanilla fudge, with subtle wax and a touch of pepper beneath.

Finish:Briny salinity, salted caramel, lingering sweet peat and spice.