Torabhaig Owner's Reserve 3 Year Old, First Fill Bourbon Cask, Cask #311, 2020, 61.9%

The clearest fruit character is on the nose: fresh apple and pear sit beside citrus zest, with gentle peat smoke running through them. That combination suits a preference for accessible fruit, though the emphasis changes on the palate. Smoke gradually builds around charred wood, sweet malt, black pepper and cinnamon, with creamy vanilla underneath. The long finish keeps the peat present, alongside gentle sweetness and a hint of briny sea air. The fruit-led opening is the strongest draw for this palate; anyone hoping for apple and pear to remain central throughout may find the later smoke and spice less appealing. Even so, the sweetness and vanilla give the shift some balance rather than leaving the opening and finish feeling unrelated.