Torabhaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Introduces The Distillers' Series

ISLE OF SKYE, Scotland (September 18, 2026) – Following the release of Taigh, the producer’s first core expression, the Isle of Skye’s award-winning single malt whisky distillery Torabhaig now introduces The Distillers’ Series, a collection of limited-release whiskies that hands complete creative control to each of its nine distillers. The Distillers’ Series debuts with two expressions, Iona’s First Edition and Niall’s First Edition, and will continue with two launches a year. Both expressions retail for $99.99 and are now available for purchase in select markets across the United States including Illinois, Massachusetts, and soon New York. 

An industry-first initiative, The Distillers’ Series gives each of Torabhaig’s nine distillers the freedom to choose their expression’s malt, yeast, fermentation, and maturation to craft something entirely their own. For one month every year, the stills are handed over to two distillers, allowing them to explore their unique senses of creativity. The result is a range of spirits that embrace new raw materials, processes, and styles, accentuating new flavors and aromas in the final product. The expressions within The Distiller’s Series venture beyond the familiar boundaries of Torabhaig’s “Smoke with Taste” philosophy, but are still born from the same stills, shaped by the same island, and made by the same people to reflect their curiosity, creativity, and craft.

“Torabhaig has always believed that whisky is about stories, especially the stories of the people making it,” says Torabhaig 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’s First Edition

The first expression in The Distillers Series is from Iona Macphie, who joined Torabhaig at 21 and distilled her whisky at the age of 23, making her the youngest person to contribute to the collection. 

Macphie built her whisky around chocolate malt - a rich, slightly bitter speciality grain she first met at Crisp maltings in Portgordon and liked enough to eat by the handful. She tasted the chocolate character coming through off the still after just 15 minutes and adjusted her timing to capture the deepest, richest flavors.

“I adore chocolate so I always knew I wanted to incorporate that in some way,” says Macphie. “The chocolate malt turned the wash black as stout but the final spirit is really rounded and rich.”

Niall’s First Edition

The second release is from distiller Niall Culbertson, who chose to produce a bright, coastal whisky with unmistakable maritime character that harkens to coming to the bay by boat in his childhood. Using a small portion of brown malt and dark crystal malt, alongside a low peat level base malt, Culbertson chose to part-mature his spirit in ex-rum casks, capturing aromas of tropical fruit and light sweet char. 

“I knew what sort of spirit I wanted but this whisky is even better than I hoped,” says Culbertson. “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.”

Tasting Notes and Production Details 

Iona’s First Edition (ABV: 60.9%)

Nose: Soft and inviting, opening with smooth vanilla sweetness and creamy cocoa butter. Layers of dark chocolate and malted cereal bring depth, while a gentle lift of citrus and subtle tropical notes adds brightness. A light, grassy freshness keeps the aroma lively and well balanced.

Palate: Warming and expressive, led by clove and a cool hint of peppermint, gradually building into a richer spice character reminiscent of old spice. Sweet notes of caramel and toffee unfold alongside redcurrant and raisin, adding a dark fruit richness, while toasted oak provides structure. A thread of ginger emerges and gradually carries through the palate toward the finish.

Finish: Long and vibrant, where that warming ginger note continues alongside peppercorn and cinnamon spice. A return of vanilla softens the spice, leaving a fresh, gracefully lingering and well-integrated finish.

Production:

• Base malt: Concerto

• Speciality malt: 10% Chocolate Malt

• Yeast: Distillamax MG

• Fermentation time: Long (90-120 hrs)

• Fermentation temp: Warm (30-34? max temp)

• Foreshots run: Long (15-30 minutes)

• Spirit run: Long (3hrs30)

• Spirit cut point: Low for unpeated (64%)

• Spirit phenols: Unpeated

• Allocation: 5,250 bottles globally

Niall’s First Edition (ABV: 59.3%)

Nose: Bright, vibrant and distinctive, led by a burst of tropical fruit: cooked pineapple, guava, and pear-drop esters. Vanilla and golden syrup add a rich sweetness beneath, while soft ember ash and a light sweet char evoke a beachside campfire. Malty biscuit and gentle earthiness provide balance. The vibrant tropical character dominates, followed by a warming, rounded richness.

Palate: Fresh and mouth-watering, opening with juicy orange and a wave of sweet, fructose-driven richness. Malty biscuit and soft vanilla build a rounded core, while subtle sea salt and brine introduce a distinct coastal edge. A lightly oily texture carries the flavours, linking the tropical sweetness to the lingering spice.

Finish: Long and warming, with complex spices taking centre stage. Slight ashy peat adds depth, while the gentle warmth of the tropical sweetness and vanilla echoes through the lingering finish, leaving a memorable, layered impression.

Production:

• Base malt: Concerto

• Speciality malt: 5% Brown Malt, 5% Dark Crystal

• Yeast: Pinnacle MG+ and Safspirit M-1

• Fermentation time: Long (90-120 hrs)

• Fermentation temp: Standard (28-32? max temp)

• Foreshots run: Short (5-10 minutes)

• Spirit run: Longer (up to 4 hrs)

• Spirit cut point: High for peated (66%)

• Spirit phenols: 12 - 15ppm

• Allocation: 5,250 bottles globally

Availability and SRP

Retailing at $99.99, the Distillers' Series: Iona’s First Edition and Niall’s First Edition will first be available at select brick and mortar locations, bars, and restaurants in California, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York. 

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ABOUT TORABHAIG SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY:

The Torabhaig Single Malt distillery is set on one of Scotland’s most dramatic locations on the spectacular rugged coastline of the Isle of Skye. The first new distillery on the Isle of Skye in 190 years, Torabhaig started distillation in 2017 and is one of only two single malt distilleries on the island. The Torabhaig house style is “Smoke with Taste”: an elegant expression of peat that uses smoke to enhance flavour and balance — unmistakably shaped by Skye's rugged landscape. This style finds its fullest expression in Taigh, the distillery's first core release. The whisky is made by a team of nine local distillers all trained from scratch, with seasoned whisky maker Neil Macleod Mathieson at the helm. From championing local people and traditions to offering every visitor a warm welcome, everything at the distillery is done in a spirit best summed up by the brand's promise: Welcome to the Torabhaig Way. Torabhaig is part of the Mossburn whisky portfolio which includes independent bottlings from Mossburn Distillers & Blenders and Caisteal Chamuis, a heavily peated blended malt.