There is something quietly thrilling about a new distillery finding its voice on Skye. Torabhaig, the island's second licensed distillery, has been turning heads since its first releases, and the Legacy Series Cnoc Na Moine represents a deliberate step into heavily peated territory. At 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, this is a whisky that arrives with serious intent — and at £60.50, it sits at a price point that demands genuine quality rather than relying on novelty alone.
Cnoc Na Moine — named for the peat moor above the distillery — signals exactly what Torabhaig is reaching for here. This is an island single malt built around smoke, and the distillery has leaned into that identity with conviction. Where some younger operations hedge their bets with lighter styles to broaden appeal, Torabhaig has committed to a muscular, peat-forward character that speaks directly to the tradition of Skye whisky. I respect that decision. It takes confidence to release a NAS expression at this price and trust that the liquid will do the talking.
The 46% bottling strength is a smart choice — enough weight to carry the peat without overwhelming the palate, and the non-chill filtered approach preserves texture and complexity that lesser bottlings would strip away. This is clearly a distillery that understands its craft, even at this relatively early stage in its story.
Tasting Notes
I will hold off on publishing detailed tasting notes for this expression until I have had the opportunity to sit with it properly across several sessions. A whisky like this deserves more than a single hurried nosing. What I can say is that the peated island style is unmistakable from the moment you pour — this is a whisky that knows exactly what it wants to be. Expect the maritime, smoky backbone that Skye demands, delivered with the kind of youthful energy that NAS expressions can harness when the spirit quality is sound.
The Verdict
Torabhaig is doing something genuinely interesting on the Isle of Skye, and Cnoc Na Moine is the clearest statement yet of where the distillery intends to go. At £60.50, you are paying a modest premium over some established peated malts, but what you get in return is a well-made, characterful island single malt from a producer with real ambition. The 46% ABV and non-chill filtered presentation show a distillery that prioritises integrity over mass-market compromise. I have scored this 7.8 out of 10 — a strong showing that reflects both the quality of the spirit and the promise of what is still to come as these casks mature. For anyone who appreciates peated Scotch with genuine provenance, this belongs on your radar.
Best Served
Pour it neat and give it ten minutes to open in the glass. If the peat feels assertive on first approach, add no more than a few drops of cool water — this will soften the smoke and let the underlying spirit speak. A classic Highball with good soda water and a twist of lemon also works remarkably well here; the peat carries beautifully through the dilution and makes for a superb long drink on a warm evening. Avoid ice — you will only mute what makes this whisky worth drinking in the first place.
