Why the Youngest Whisky in Living Souls’ Range Was the Most Impressive

As an independent bottler, Living Souls consistently impresses, and their latest quarterly release is a fascinating study in contrast. The lineup moves from a venerable 40-year-old blended whisky all the way to a young, peated firecracker from the Isle of Skye. When faced with such a diverse collection, the immediate question is always the same: which bottle truly delivers the most memorable experience? After tasting my way through the range, the answer was genuinely surprising.

Among the older expressions, both the 40-year-old blend and a 17-year-old Glenrothes were formidable. The blend, finished in Islay quarter casks, opened with decadent tropical fruit syrup before revealing a deep, ashy complexity. The Glenrothes was a personal revelation. I often fall in and out of love with sherry casks, but this one was exceptional. It was less about traditional dried fruit and more of a boozy Snickers bar, full of caramel, peanut, and rich milk chocolate notes. It was a compelling reminder of just how good a sherry maturation can be.

Despite the quality of these aged whiskies, the clear winner was the youngest of the bunch: the 7-year-old Torabhaig. This is a distillery that is making some of the best new peated whisky today, and this bottling is a perfect example of why. The nose instantly transports you to a beach on the west coast of Scotland, brimming with salinity, oyster shells, and a beautiful salted caramel note wrapped in a gentle, focused smoke. The palate, however, is where it truly shines, shifting from coastal peat to wonderful notes of sweet basil and mint. It is complex, balanced, and dangerously moreish.

Ultimately, while every whisky in this release was a solid performer, the Torabhaig was simply fabulous stuff. It proves that age is no guarantee of quality and that some of the most exciting things in Scotch are happening at new distilleries. This bottle is a testament not only to Torabhaig’s spirit but also to Living Souls’ incredible ability to source and batch exceptional casks. It is a sweet, salty, and smoky delight that stands tall against its much older peers. What is the most impressive young whisky you have tried recently?

For the full tasting of the Q3 full range, watch my YouTube video.