Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Batch Strength

When Torabhaig opened its doors in 2017, it became only the second distillery on the Isle of Skye, a place already defined by one formidable neighbour. Yet Torabhaig’s approach from the outset has been confident, a commitment to “well-tempered peat,” where smoke doesn’t assault the palate, but is used in balance with sweetness, fruit and coastal freshness.

The new Sound of Sleat Batch Strength is the latest expression of that philosophy, a bolder take on the fourth chapter of The Legacy Series. Bottled at 60.2% ABV, it builds upon the original Sound of Sleat release while offering a richer, more concentrated version of the distillery’s character. It’s unmistakably Torabhaig with it smoky, maritime and waxy notes, but now turned up a notch.

The name comes from the narrow stretch of sea separating Skye from the mainland. It’s a poetic choice, reflecting not just geography but identity. The Sleat Peninsula is often called the Garden of Skye, where wild weather and salt-laden air define both the landscape and whisky. That connection to place runs deep at Torabhaig, where every batch in The Legacy Series charts the distillery’s journey towards a future flagship 10-year-old release. 

The Batch Strength edition is matured entirely in American oak, a combination of ex-bourbon and new oak casks, and offers a heightened sense of energy compared with its predecessor. The smoke feels more expansive yet somehow cleaner; the citrus notes are brighter; the maritime influence more pronounced. It takes the familiar house style and amplifies it without losing its balance.

Neil Mathieson, Torabhaig’s whisky maker, explains: “We’ve long experimented with offering the same whisky at different strengths as a way to highlight new profiles and unlock new flavours. Sound of Sleat Batch Strength delivers exactly that, big and elegant with more spiciness and a lovely waxy mouthfeel that showcases a new side to our Sound of Sleat whisky.”

That waxiness has become something of a Torabhaig signature. It gives the whisky texture and grip, binding the smoke and spice into something cohesive. On the nose, there’s a measured blast of smoke and brine, supported by sweet oak spice, tobacco leaf and a gentle fruitiness of orange barley sugar and apricot. The palate is full and lively, combining zesty oak spice, bonfire embers and a suggestion of white pepper. The finish lingers with capsicum heat and coastal salinity.

The release also continues Torabhaig’s collaboration with Skye-based artist Ellis O’Connor, whose abstract depictions of sea and weather mirror the distillery’s setting beside the Sound itself. Her artwork appears on the label once again, visually echoing the movement and power of the water that inspired the whisky’s name.

Torabhaig to me seems to be more than being just about the liquid. The distilling team, nine in total, were all trained from scratch, locals taught the skills on their own island. Under Neil Mathieson’s guidance, they’ve developed a distillery that is progressive and exciting. I would love to know what magical casks they have lying in their warehouses. 

For those who have followed the releases from the beginning, Sound of Sleat Batch Strength marks the sixth whisky in the sequence, joining Torabhaig 2017, Allt Gleann, Allt Gleann Batch Strength, Cnoc Na Mòine and the original Sound of Sleat. Collectively, they chart the maturing voice of a young distillery finding its rhythm. The progression has been deliberate rather than hurried

At £75, the new release sits comfortably within reach for those who’ve followed the journey so far. Its 15,000-bottle outturn means that it will sell out relatively quickly, so get your bottle whilst they are still available.