Torabhaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky 7 Years Old 2018 700ml | 57.1%

A new distillery in Scotland, Torabhaig produces heavily peated malt whisky that has already made its mark and stunned drinkers all over the world for its weight and compexity. 

Official tasting notes:

Nose: Smells like an old sailor’s jacket left on a nail outside a smokehouse in Armadale. Buttery capers, mercurochrome, ozone, chalk, clean smoke, rockpool, grilled pineapples with tropical zest, Laphroaig oysters and sage.

Palate: Sweet peat to the fore, sea salted toffee, less of the brightness exhibited on the nose and more buttery depth, like jazz at 3 a.m. Followed by some white peppery spice and charred oak.

Finish: Rich, smoky caramel lingers alongside bonfire embers. A classy close with a breath of salinity. Like kissing a mackerel after a thunderstorm.

Comments: Whisky’s often overlooked fourth ingredient (not you, Time) is displayed here beautifully by Torabhaig’s focused approach to making juice. Expect lots of coastal peat freshness, alongside citrus zest. Elegantly matured for seven years in first-fill Bourbon barrels, this vatting has been carefully and very slightly reduced to 57.1% ABV.

Thompson Bros:

After establishing one of the world’s leading whisky bars in Dornoch, brothers Phil & Simon Thompson expanded their vision by creating their own independent bottling company titled Thompson Bros. In addition to this new endeavour, they also began distilling whisky and gin onsite at Dornoch Castle Hotel. Since 2017 they have been releasing outstanding whisky and rums through their Thompson Bros label as well as laying down hundreds of casks filled with soon to be Dornoch Whisky.