Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Batch Strength Legacy Series Chapter 4 5 yo

 

 

 

60,2°

Distillery : Torabhaig - Islay

1st Fill, Refill Bourbon and Virgin Quercus Alba American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 78 ppm

 

 

 

Alongside the reduced version of Sound of Sleat, this Cask Strength version was launched a few months later. There had already been a Batch Strength version for Allt Gleann, the chapter two, but none for the chapter three. For this one, the maturation was very slightly different, as new casks were used, which is not the case for the reduced version. However, the barley used is exactly the same, Laureate and Concerto, as well as the yeast, Pinnacle MG, and the fermentation, 72 hours. The peat level is very high, but the measurement is taken from the barley. In the glass, it is much lower, at 19 ppm. The age is officially stated on the distillery's website as 5 to 6 years. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, the peat is as balanced as ever, generously revealing cream, honey and yellow fruit. However, there are also coastal, mineral, maritime and salty notes, smoke, oysters, shellfish, iodine and seaweed. On the palate, it's not bad at all, citrus fruits, juicy pears, salted caramel, a good layer of peat and limestone, vanilla icing, measured spices, dark chocolate. The finish is long and with just the right amount of power, honey and roasted nuts, coarse sea salt, scallops, razor clams, just a hint of mud. 

 

In Short, 

Not only is it more powerful, it is actually better than the reduced version, with more fruitiness, but above all more character and variety of flavours. This is yet another success for Torabhaig, which already has quite a few under its belt. What's more, the price is really attractive if you shop around, so it's another bottle to add to my shopping list. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Domhain - Talamh Lom

Laphroaig 2014 The Single Malts of Scotland 11 yo c. 210

 

 

 

65,2°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay 

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Elixir Distillers has made a big splash this year with a series of six Laphroaig whiskies, all distilled in 2014 and released at the same time, all aged for 11 years, and all but one matured in the same type of cask, a Refill Hogshead. One was selected by La Maison du Whisky and is reserved for the French market. I wrote about it here. Another is reserved for the German market, and yet another for the New Zealand market. This one is reserved for everyone, and it has the distinction of having a very high alcohol content. 326 bottles have been released into the wild, and some are still available at the time of writing.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Woody and very chalky nose, thick satiny vanilla smoke, almost suffocating, then perfect balance, orange zest, juicy pears, almond paste. Some maritime notes, the tide, whelks and other shellfish. Generous dose of iodine, medicinal touch, bandages and betadine. Very smooth on the palate at first, vanilla with a little oyster juice, liquid honey, fairly strong pepper. Fairly long and very powerful finish, cumin and cola, large pieces of charcoal, sticky caramel, varnished wood, hot chestnuts, dried bananas. 

 

In Short, 

It is truly a masterpiece of its kind. It has the power and everything that characterises the distillery, and at the same time a beautiful harmony, a wonderful balance at times. The nose is not perfect, but on the palate and in the finish, it is excellent. The alcohol is fairly well integrated, there are no real flaws. What's more, the price is very reasonable, it's a real bargain. What more could you ask for?

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Winona Riders - Dopamina

Blair Athol 2016 The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks Collection Foundations 8 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Blair Athol - Highlands

Sherry Butts 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is undoubtedly the last representative of the Reserve Casks sub-range launched in 2019, which totals nearly 60 bottlings. It is a blend of two Sherry Butts, which has been aged for 8 years. 1,600 bottles have been filled and are available exclusively on the French market, as La Maison du Whisky has selected it to be part of the Collection Foundations. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Onctuous sherry, dried bananas, heavy caramel, cherries in brandy, waxed parquet flooring, old beams, pudding studded with raisins, hazelnut cream, honeyed notes. Forest character, with blueberries and wild berries, slightly candied. On the palate, fermented fruit, black pepper, cooked figs, dark chocolate, wax polish, old apple and cinnamon. Fairly long finish, cola, a few cereal stalks, almond paste, candied cherries, angelica, a touch of liquorice and dark tobacco. Nutmeg. Fine earth. 

 

In Short, 

It's really well made. Sherry has something enchanting and bewitching about it, which makes this one very pleasant. Given its age, it lacks a little body and length on the palate, but it has beautiful fruity intensity, character and indulgence. What's more, the price was quite reasonable, but now it's no longer really available. Fortunately, I've got mine. 

Score : 88  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sion - Just You and Me

Caol Ila 2013 The Single Malts of Scotland Small Batch 12 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Refill Rum Barrels 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm 

 

 

 

Among the first batch of the Small Batch sub-range is this Caol Ila, which has spent 12 years in four refill rum barrels. To be honest, I'm not a fan of rum barrel ageing, but these are refill ones, and I trust the team at Elixir Distillers. What's more, it has been selected by La Maison du Whisky for an exclusive sale in France. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Thick smoke, but as if frozen in icing sugar, roasted pineapple, lime slices, almond paste, juicy white grapes, persimmons, mirabelle plums. Honey and varnished wood, traces of tar, iodine and limestone, coarse sea salt and oysters. Beautiful fullness. On the palate, candied vanilla, treacle, brown sugar, rose Turkish delight, slightly subdued spices, grey pepper, fragments of dried peat, a touch of exotic fruit. A suitably long finish, full of salt and soot, green seaweed, salted butter caramel, blond tobacco, crushed hazelnuts, the warmth of a grog.

 

In Short, 

I must say that the tropical notes of rum blend very well with the distillery's maritime profile. It is full of exotic fruits, cane sugar, barley sugar, and peat emerges at times from behind. The smoke is like a veil that must be overcome to experience all the flavours. Unfortunately, the price is a little high, but it is still very enjoyable.   

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ebon Veil - The House on Gallows Hill

Macduff 2011 The Single Malts of Scotland Small Batch 12 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Macduff - Highlands

Refill Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

For a launch worthy of the new Small Batch sub-range, which replaces Reserve Casks, the gentlemen at Elixir Distillers had a few surprises up their sleeves. This Macduff, for example, was bottled in 2024, but only went on sale in October 2025. It is a blend of four refill sherry butts, which gives it a slightly fruity flavour. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Attractive woody character on the nose, with hints of hazelnuts and chestnut cream. But it is also airy, with fruity and farmyard notes. Cut hay, raisins, apricots, chocolate fondant, caramelised orange peel. On the palate, creamy honey, peach purée, light caramel, a few blueberries. Mild spices, almond paste, cinnamon and nutmeg. Fairly long, robust finish, fig biscuits, Muscat grapes, freshly ground black pepper, oak bark. A coffee bean in retro-olfaction. Dried grass.

 

In Short, 

This is a distillery that always has its own character and personality. Here, I appreciated how the distillate is enhanced by the Refill Butts, whose influence is subtle. It makes for a very nice daily dram, albeit at a fairly high price. I suggest waiting for a promotion. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Princess Chelsea - Time

Octomore 2019 Edition 16.3 The Impossible Equation 5 yo

 

 

 

61,6°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

Bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 189,5 ppm

 

 

 

The third version of the 16th Octomore release was matured in three different types of casks: Bourbon, Sauternes, and Pedro Ximénez. Only Concerto barley was used, sourced from the Octomore farm on Islay, specifically from Church Field.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Slightly woody almond paste, studded with hazelnuts, pine needles, crunchy cereals, then smoke fills the nose. Beautiful and intense, full of icing sugar, laden with charcoal, and very mineral, chalky, salt stalactites. Stains of soot, gravel, lime, but also lychees, juicy pears, rose petals, ointment. On the palate, pure silk, rose water, barley sugar, white grapes, a zest of citrus, mandarins, then spices come in, cloves, cumin, black pepper. Splashes of peat. Powerful, lingering finish, shortbread biscuits, oranges and grapefruit, dried apricots, salted butter fudge, gypsum rock, salt crystals. Peaches.

 

In Short, 

It's surprising, but I didn't really taste the cereal, or very little of it, even though that's the hallmark of this edition. It's more mineral and creamy, coastal and fruity. The peat isn't at all overpowering, but it's not light either. The finish is superb, the rest is excellent without being overwhelming. It's a little less good than usual, in my opinion, but it's still very high quality. The price obviously gives pause for thought. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Cairiss - Disgraced      

Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Legacy Series Chapter 4

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Torabhaig - Islands

1st Fill and Refill Quercus Alba American Oak Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 78 ppm

 

 

 

In a couple of years, Torabhaig will be able to release its ten-year-old whisky, but in the meantime, we can enjoy this Legacy Series, now in its fourth chapter, a succession of fairly young limited editions that showcase the various qualities of the distillate. According to some websites, this one is aged between five and six years and is a blend of Quercus Alba American Oak Casks, some heavily toasted, others 1st Fill from Kentucky, and others reconditioned in the distillery's cellars. The ppm level is very high, but this is not apparent in the glass. The barley varieties used are Concerto and Laureate, and the yeast is Pinnacle MG.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :   

The limestone marries well with sweet vanilla, the peat is not too strong, quite mineral and full-bodied, slate, caramelised wood, salt crystals, wildflower honey. Beautiful power, mirabelle plums, hazelnut cream, coconut pearls. Very light lemon. Rocky, chalky, creamy on the palate, then some fruit, Conference pears, controlled spices. Almond paste. Relatively long finish, touch of woody bitterness, lychees, macerated almonds, lemon peel. A pinch of salt, tall grasses. Pepper and cloves. 

 

In Short, 

I must say that after the first two expressions in the series, which didn't really thrill me, this one is starting to look promising. It's still a little young, but there's a nice salinity and mineral notes combined with light fruit, everything is well controlled, it's nice. That said, I really liked the nose, but the palate is disappointing, still too light. And the finish is a little bitter. So it's not perfect, even if it's really interesting. At this stage, it can only get better. The price is about right. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Rosa Damask - The Sun

Linkwood 2014 The Single Malts of Scotland Small Batch 11 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Refill Hogsheads 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

To launch this new sub-range called Small Batch, which is simply a new name for the defunct Reserve Casks, you need some interesting products. Such as this nonetheless 11-year-old Linkwood, a blend of four refill hogsheads, which could only allow the distillate to flourish. No indication of the number of bottles produced.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

It is fresh and herbaceous, reeds and dandelion, but very quickly becomes mellow and thick fudge, ripe fruit, slices of white peaches overflowing with juice, nectarines, various citrus fruits, kumquats, slightly wilted petals, wood splinters. On the palate, it is creamy, even honeyed, grapes, pears, apricots, some cereals, muesli, restrained spices. The finish is reasonably long, full of crunchy biscuits, dried fruit, young beams, candied vanilla, cake batter, milk chocolate, well-opened figs. 

 

In Short, 

It's very fruity, but not quite as overwhelmingly so as is sometimes the case with this distillery. As a solace, there are woody notes, cereals, some vegetal notes, it's very varied and balanced. A very fine bottling, and what's more, the price is really low, making it hard to resist buying. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :  

 

                                           Jockstrap - Concrete Over Water