The gorgeous new Torabhaig distillery on the Isle of Skye is without a doubt one of Scotland's most exciting new distillers. Not only have they built a distillery that looks like it's been there for centuries, but they've created a malt that's completely unique while still capturing the rugged sense of place that exemplifies this special island. We were early adopters and their young whiskies have been extremely approachable, but when a chance to do a single cask was offered, we absolutely jumped at the chance. Their cask policy is rather unique and they have some interesting wood types to choose from, but something about the beauty of a medium peater in an excellent first fill bourbon was too alluring to ignore. Let's have at it. The color is dull old gold (0.6). The nose absolutely piercing the air throughout the room, immediately offering aromas of dense white smoke, salted lemons, ocean spray, lanolin, pithy citrus fruit, oily nuts, capers, etc. With air, the smoke softens and the salt and lemon zest come forward adding thinly sliced serrano, Castelvetrano olives, sweet barley syrup, brine. On the palate, the peat is at the very front and hangs on to those green brine-y notes, but the sweet malt powers up in the mid pallet and continues through to a laser focused finish of burning herbs, lemon oil, and ashy smoke. Water addition adds another layer of maritime complexity - now crushed oyster shells- plus an almost tropical (dare I say) Bowmore like pineapple and mango, salted and smoked. By contrast the pallet relents the green brine-y notes and give so much sweet fruit and malt now. A fabulous spirit of exceptional character. This is NOT one to miss.