Skye’s Newest Distillery Celebrate Maritime Heritage With New Sound Of Sleat

The Torabhaig Legacy Series welcomes it’s fourth instalment with “Sound of Sleat.” While the British are renowned for talking about the weather, this new single malt scotch isn’t named for the sound made by a kind of wet snow, but for the narrow sea channel bordering the distillery’s home on the Sleat Peninsula of Skye.

As the newest distillery on the Isle of Skye, Torabhaig (pronounced ‘tor-a-vague’) has been on a journey to establish their distinctive “well-tempered peat” house style. The latest addition to their flagship series has been crafted to showcase the rugged coastal environment that shapes their whisky.

World’s Best Single Malt Scotch Launches Limited Edition “Sinteis”

Tennessee Whiskey Review: Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old Batch 4

5 Award-Winning Indian Whiskies That Are Impressing Experts

6 Canadian Whiskies To Try In 2025

Peated Whisky for Beginners: Why Some Whiskies Taste Smoky (& 5 Bottles to Try)

The Macallan’s Global Whisky Journey – Now at The Whiskey Wash Shop

Peated Whisky for Beginners: Why Some Whiskies Taste Smoky (& 5 Bottles to Try)

From Wellington to the World Stage: How Three Ships Is Defining South African Whisky

Gold Medal Bourbons To Match Your Palate: Which One’s For You?

If You Like Maker’s Mark, Try These 5 Scotch Whiskies

Torabhaig’s Fourth Installment In The Legacy Series 

Torabhaig is only the second distillery on Skye, which is probably best known as the home to the Talisker distillery. In 2017 they became the first new distillery on the island in 190 years and are keen to make their mark on what encompasses a Skye whisky. The Legacy Series has marked their journey as they work toward releasing a 10-year-old single malt—hopefully in 2027.

“Our journey to a 10-year-old expression continues,” explained Neil MacLeod Mathieson, Torabhaig whisky maker in the official press release. “For Sound of Sleat we’re returning to a classic ex-bourbon cask profile, enhanced by the addition of a crisp spice edge from the new American oak barrels, without losing the elegance and intricacy our fans have come to expect from a Torabhaig whisky.”

The whisky displays the distillery’s signature “smoke with taste” philosophy, balancing maritime influences with elegant peat characteristics. We haven’t tasted this one (see here for the Legacy Series Allt Fleann review though) but the official tasting notes highlight delicate orange and apricot on the nose, complemented by subtle pipe tobacco and honey followed by a palate revealing zesty oak spice and rich bonfire smoke, developing waxy honey and vanilla notes against a backdrop of sea salt and seaweed. The finish lingers with honey, maritime storm elements, and oceanic character.

Local Artist Captures Peninsula’s Wild Beauty

Sound of Sleat joins the inaugural 2017 bottling alongside Allt Gleann, Allt Gleann Batch Strength, and Cnoc Na Mòine in the Legacy Series portfolio. For the fourth installment Torabhaig worked with Skye-based artist Ellis O’Connor to create a new label. Her vibrant paintings celebrate the natural world’s energy and movement. Through the collaboration Torabhaig re-confirm their commitment to supporting the local community and the island’s inspiring landscape.

In another commitment to the island, Torabhaig produces its whisky with locally-trained distillers. They work with Concerto and Laureate malted barley peated to 78+ PPM (parts per million). Through maturation this mellows to around 14.5 PPM in the final product, which allows them to balance the smoke while allowing other characters to still shine. 

Nicknamed “The Garden of Skye,” the Sleat Peninsula’s southern location closest to mainland Scotland provides Torabhaig with a unique terroir that shapes its robustly peated yet elegantly floral whisky style. Sound of Sleat is available globally, priced at $71 (£57/€67), the release offers whisky enthusiasts another opportunity to experience Torabhaig’s distinctive approach to peated single malt.