Torabhaig Tweet Tasting March 21st 2024

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On the 21st March I took part in my second #tweettastings with @Torabhaig hosted by Steve @TheWhiskyWire

The lineup and order for the evening were:

  1. Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine
  2. Torabhaig Allt Gleannn
  3. Mossburn Caisteal Chamus 15 Year Old 
  4. Torabhaig Distillery Reserve 2023

@TheWhiskyWire #TorabhaigWhisky #TweetTastings @TweetTastings

Here are my tasting notes with any thoughts I may have had from the evening.

Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine

Whisky Details:

Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
ABV: 46%
Casks: Matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon, American oak Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks.
Available from specialist retailers for a RRP of £58.00
Malt: Concerto and Anchor 
Yeast: Pinnacle MG+ and Anchor
In grain phenols: 78.4 PPM
Residual phenols: 19.7 PPM
Chill-filtration: None
Colouring: None

This bottling is the third chapter in the @torabhaig Legacy Series, the first of which; Legacy Series 2017, launched back in February 2021. Each release is said to capture a stage on the journey from inception and youth through to coming of age and full maturity – leading up to the launch of their 10 Year Old release in 2028.

This latest release is also the distillery’s first to include single malt matured in Sherry casks.

Torabhiag ‘Cnoc Na Moine’, takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘Hill of Peat’

Torabhaig is the second ever licenced single malt Scotch whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye. After a painstaking four-year restoration and build, the distillery has been a fully operational since January 2017.

Torabhaig Cnoc a Moine

On the nose I found it aromatic & earthy with sweet peat and smoke embers. There is Dark fruit with warming winter spices, followed by a creamy orange oil joined with a suggestion of earthy dunnage sherry.

The palate is drier than expected, for me it was like pink wafer biscuits, then imagine some flavour notes coming from a cedar wood bowl filled with creamy pepper hummus. There is also the sensation of dusty leather bound books that have sat too close to a recent fire and so have some remnants of being charred and smouldering, similar to a BBQ in some ways.

Torabhaig Allt Gleannn

Whisky Details

Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Casks: 80% First fill Bourbon and 20% re-fill barrels
Available from specialist retailers for a RRP of: £58.00
Malt: Concerto and Laureate
Yeast: Pinnacle MG+ and Safspirit M-1
In grain phenols: 77 PPM
Residual phenols: 17 PPM
Chill-filtration: None
Colouring: None

Torabhaig Allt Gleann

On the Nose I found earthy peat with creamy honey oats. Milk chcolate fudge, butterscotch with lemon oil. Towards the back end of the aromas was a sweet heather smoke.

The Palate is Sweet with accompanying floral smoke, lemon infused honey, chocolate coated hob nobs biscuits with Brazil nut pieces, espresso bringing in a touch earthiness at the end
With water on the palate a minty freshness arrives with extra spice and oak replacing the earthiness.
 

Caisteal Chamuis 15 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 

Whisky Details
ABV: 50%
Produced using single malts distilled on the islands of Scotland, which were re-barrelled into a single Oloroso Sherry Butt
Available from specialist retailers for a RRP of: £90.00
 
Mossburn Caisteal Chamuis 15 Year Old
On the Nose It is Rich with some vegetal notes, then arrives the sweet peat with its partner sweet smoke. There are Dark fruits and a touch of something medicinal, it’s aromatic with heather, fennel & rye. Such a lovely nose.
 
The Palate has a smoky syrup quality which then delivers up rye bread, ash from charred dusty books. Then we have more delicate sensations of rice paper or perhaps the outer casing of flying saucers confectionery (candies). There is a dunnage earthiness with hints to Christmas Pudding and Brandy sauce
 
With water the nose is more aromatic with herbs, it’s fresher. On the palate with water it’s sweeter, creamier and has more of a sherry presence. Agin this whisky is very enjoyable.
 

Torabhiag Distillery Reserve 2023

Whisky Details
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 58.1%
Casks: Finished in Skye Ale Porter casks
 
Torabhaig Distillery Reserve 2023 Porter Cask Finish
On the Nose It is sweet and vegetal with the arrival of an earthy herbal peat and meadow flowers. There are hints of coal dust. There is a citrus cream quality leading to liquorice allsorts (candy), a touch of sherry and orange oil, the smoke lingers into the finish.
 
The Palate is earthy with peat and bonfire smoke embers mixing with creamy citrus icing atop a light fruit cake, white chocolate coated nuts and raisins.
 
With Water the nose releases more lemon and a brine note appears. Its even more floral.
Palate with water is creamier with a sweeter peat and now palma violets (candy) appearing.
Finish: caramel lemon drops (candy) with smoked oak.
 
Summary
On the evening I enjoyed the Caisteal Chamuis 15 Year Old and the Cnoc Na Moine, but there were all very good whiskies, each offering a slightly different smoky experience.

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