Independent Scotch whisky producer The GlenAllachie Distillers Company has released the third instalment of its annual small-batch peated series – Meikle Tòir Turbo 2025.
Under the guidance of Master Distiller Billy Walker, the Speyside distillery dedicates around six weeks each year to peated production, using mainland peat from St. Fergus, yielding approximately 100,000 litres, around a tenth of its total spirit output.
This is the basis of Meikle Tòir, described as a ‘distinctly sweet-smoked malt’ shaped by the distillery’s production regime, which includes a 160-hour fermentation for enhanced complexity.
For the small batch releases, the name ‘Turbo’ reflects the intense smoke character – 72 PPM compared to 35 PPM for the core range of Meikle Tòir – achieved by capturing the spirit cut at its peak phenolic level, ‘the heart of the heart’ of the distillate.
Walker said: “Meikle Tòir has been met with incredible enthusiasm, with every Turbo release to date selling out at remarkable speed. What sets Turbo apart is the way we push peat to its maximum while still allowing the spirit’s signature heather honey character to shine through.
“This balance of boldness and finesse makes Turbo truly special. It’s an exceptionally limited release, and for those lucky enough to secure a bottle, it represents a rare chance to experience our peated whisky at full force.”
Meikle Tòir was the first distillate overseen by Billy following his acquisition of the distillery in 2017, during which he fine-tuned the process to craft a ‘bolder, peated new-make spirit, perfectly primed for cask maturation’.
All core range Meikle Tòir whiskies carry a five-year age statement, are non-chill filtered, and contain no added colouring.
This latest release follows on from the first Meikle Tòir single cask bottlings, launched in July 2023 – an online-exclusive 6-year-old Oloroso Sherry Hogshead, and a distillery-exclusive 7-year-old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Hogshead.
For the 2025 edition, Walker’s cask selection is said to have delivered ‘a whisky that’s as rich and complex as it is powerful’.
According to the tasting notes: “Expect aromas of manuka honey, toasted caramel and smoked cedarwood, leading to flavours of heather honey, roasted hazelnuts, mocha and smouldering oak, with a lingering finish of dark chocolate and plum jam.”
