Townspeople – I bear exciting and groundbreaking whisky news.
It’s not often we see the launch of a new malt whisky distillery, what with the tremendous setup and operational costs, and the sheer difficulty of actually doing the thing, but, as of yesterday, it was announced that there will be a new distillery on the Isle of Skye, named Torabhaig.
With build costs of over £5 million, Torabhaig will join Talisker – currently the island’s sole whisky distillery. The build site overlooks the Sound of Sleat, to Knoydart, described by the distillers as “a perfect location for a small, traditional distillery”.
With construction work to begin in early summer, the first spirit should run from the stills in late 2015. In theory then, we should see the first single malt whisky in 2018, inshallah.
Initial sketches show a very quaint, charming little distillery, designed by Edinburgh architects Simpson & Brown who were responsible for the repair and rebuild of Strathisla, as well as designs for the Kingsbarns Distillery.
For now we can but speculate as to the style of whisky produced. If it’s anything like its island-mate, Talisker, we’re in for a real treat!
Mike
