Torabhaig – The Distillers Series Iona's First Edition (70cl, 60.9%)

Iona's First Edition is a single malt from Torabhaig, on the Sleat peninsula of the Isle of Skye, released in The Distillers Series. Iona MacPhie of the distilling team chose unpeated Concerto malt and added 10% chocolate malt, an idea that came from a visit to a maltings. She also asked for a long fermentation and a low final cut. The whisky matured in first-fill bourbon casks and refill sherry butts and was bottled at 60.9%, non-chill-filtered and of natural colour, in an edition of 5,250 bottles. A light smoky note remains despite the unpeated malt. The nose opens with vanilla and creamy cocoa butter, then dark chocolate and malted grain. The palate moves from clove and mint to caramel, toffee, redcurrants and ginger. The finish is long, with ginger, peppercorn and cinnamon.