Sound of Sleat is a beautifully balanced, medium-peat single malt from Torabhaig Distillery on the Isle of Skye. Bottled at 46% ABV, it delivers Torabhaigs signature Smoke with Taste style: expressive bonfire smoke but still layered, with coastal sea breeze, citrus, honey, and oak spice. Elegant and full-of character particularly compelling if you enjoy peated whisky that doesnt overwhelm.

Key Specs & Origins

Spec Detail Distillery / Origin Torabhaig Distillery, Teangue, Sleat, Isle of Skye, Scotland Expression / Series The Legacy Series Chapter 4: Sound of Sleat ABV / Proof 46% abv Peat Level / Malt Setup Peated malt barley (Concerto & Laureate), with over 78 PPM+ peat Yeast & Fermentation 100% Pinnacle MG yeast; 72-hour fermentation period Cask Maturation Matured in American oak (Quercus alba) includes new oak charred barrels, first-fill Bourbon barrels (4-6 year seasoned), and refill Bourbon barrels aged 10+ years in Torabhaigs warehouse. Filtration / Colour Bottled without chill filtration; natural colour (no added colouring)

Tasting Profile

Here are the tasting notes from the nose through to finish:

Aspect Notes Nose / Aroma Delicate orange zest, apricot, popcorn sweetness; maritime seaweed, subtle pipe tobacco; honey, vanilla, boiled sweets; coastal, lightly smoky. Palate / Taste Rich bonfire smoke; honeyed sweetness; white pepper; waxy textures; sea salt and seaweed mingle with oak spice and vanilla; a toastiness from oak and some pepper/sweet spice at the edges. Finish Elegant and lingering; echoes of smoke, salted caramel, ocean spray, wood char; the smoke softens but stays present; sweet peat and spice linger.

What Makes It Special

• Smoke with Taste Signature Torabhaig is refining a house style that balances smokiness with subtler flavours: citrus, honey, coastal influence. This release leans into smoke, but doesnt let it dominate.

• Cask Treatment a mix of new charred oak + seasoned bourbon + refill bourbon barrels gives complexity: fresh oak spice, wood char, but also softer vanilla / sweetness from older casks.

• Sense of Place the name, label art (by a local artist, Ellis OConnor), and flavour profile evoke the rugged Skye coastline and the Sound of Sleat in particular. Maritime notes, seaweed, salt, wind in the flavour.

• Thoughtful Maturation & Non-Intervention using natural colour, no chill filtration, yields a richer mouthfeel and depth; the distillerys efforts to age in multiple oak types deepen the complexity.

• Richly built yet approachable smoke is present but balanced, not overwhelming.

• Complex enough for whisky fans who enjoy layers: smoke, oak, sweetness, coastal character.

• Very drinkable: 46% ABV gives good flavour without too much harshness; non-chill filtered so texture and mouthfeel retain more richness.

Suggested Serving & Pairing

• Neat or with just a drop of water to open up the oak spice and reveal more coastal notes.

• On a large ice cube for slower dilution; brings out sweetness as wood and smoke mellow.

• Cocktail ideas: Use in a smoky riff on a Whisky Highball (plain soda & citrus), or in a Penicillin style (with honey, lemon, ginger) to complement its smoke and sweetness.

• Food pairings: Grilled seafood, smoked meats, salty tapas; strong cheese (such as smoked cheddar, Gruyre) and charcuterie; citrus desserts (e.g. lemon tart) or dark chocolate.