Isle of Skye Distillery Debuts First-of-Its-Kind Program Torabhaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky has introduced The Distillers' Series, a limited-release collection that grants each of the distillery's nine distillers full creative control over malt selection, yeast, fermentation, and maturation. The program launches with two expressions: Iona's First Edition and Niall's First Edition, both priced at $99.99. Under the initiative, two distillers per year receive access to Torabhaig's stills for one month to create their own expression. The series will continue with two releases annually. "Torabhaig has always believed that whisky is about stories, especially the stories of the people making it," says whisky maker Neil MacLeod Mathieson. "The Distillers' Series is where we embody that ethos, allowing our distillers to follow their own curiosity, with the freedom to make something entirely their own. The stills are the same, the island is the same, but the story changes with every maker."
Iona Macphie's Chocolate-Forward Expression Iona's First Edition showcases distiller Iona Macphie's use of chocolate malt—a speciality grain she sourced from Crisp maltings in Portgordon. At 23, Macphie became the youngest contributor to the series. She adjusted her timing during distillation to capture deep, rich chocolate flavors after observing the character emerge within 15 minutes of spirit flow. "I adore chocolate so I always knew I wanted to incorporate that in some way," Macphie says. "The chocolate malt turned the wash black as stout but the final spirit is really rounded and rich." Iona's First Edition (60.9% ABV) features a palate of clove and peppermint building into spice reminiscent of old spice, with caramel, toffee, redcurrant, and raisin notes. The finish presents warming ginger, peppercorn, and cinnamon. Production details include 10% chocolate malt in the grain bill, Distillamax MG yeast, and a long foreshots run (15–30 minutes). The release is allocated at 5,250 bottles globally.
Niall Culbertson's Coastal Maritime Whisky Niall's First Edition reflects distiller Niall Culbertson's childhood memories of approaching the bay by boat. The expression combines brown malt and dark crystal malt at low peat levels, with partial maturation in ex-rum casks to capture tropical fruit and light sweet char aromas. "I knew what sort of spirit I wanted but this whisky is even better than I hoped," Culbertson says. "It has all the tropical fruit and maritime notes I was aiming for and brings it together in a way I didn't think I would quite be able to capture." Niall's First Edition (59.3% ABV) opens with cooked pineapple, guava, and pear-drop esters on the nose, with vanilla and golden syrup underneath. The palate presents juicy orange and fructose-driven sweetness, malty biscuit, and a coastal brine edge. Production includes 5% brown malt and 5% dark crystal malt, Pinnacle MG+ and Safspirit M-1 yeast, and a high spirit cut point (66%). The release carries 12–15ppm phenols and is allocated at 5,250 bottles globally.
Market Availability Both expressions are now available in Illinois, Massachusetts, and soon New York, with wider rollout planned across California, Georgia, and Florida. Torabhaig's core expression, Taigh, remains available nationwide through Total Wine.
Why It Matters
The Distillers' Series represents a rare opportunity for operators and collectors to explore distinct creative voices within a single distillery's production framework. By ceding control to individual distillers rather than adhering to a house style, Torabhaig is positioning itself within a trend toward transparency and storytelling in premium spirits marketing—a strategy that resonates particularly with on-premise accounts seeking differentiated offerings.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
