The
GlenAllachie Distillery is best known for its unpeated whiskies, but they also experiment with peated whiskies. In this Meikle Tòir Peated Single Malt Whisky review, we explore how the Meikle Tòir series is crafted, what makes it unique, and most importantly: how it tastes.
Located in Speyside, The GlenAllachie Distillery launched a bold project: to create the perfect peated Speyside whisky. This special series is named Meikle Tòir, which translates loosely to 'Great Quest'.
Searching for the best peated whisky six weeks a year
Billy Walker and his team dedicate six weeks annually to crafting peated whisky under the Meikle Tòir name. They use malted barley smoked with Highland peat ( not coastal peat) resulting in more earthy, smoky flavors without heavy maritime notes.
A long fermentation process of 160 hours develops a wealth of fruity esters, creating a whisky that is not just smoky but also notably fruity and complex after distillation.
See, Smell, Taste
Country | Scotland |
Distillery | The GlenAllachie |
Type | Single malt |
Color | Gold |
Smell | Baking spices, burnt honey and roasted coffee beans, followed by hazelnuts, smoked almonds and butterscotch. |
Taste | A hint of sweet peat with rich chocolate and heather honey. This is followed by cinnamon, ginger and oak-smoked sugar. |
Finish | unknown |
Age | 5 years |
Alcohol percentage | 50 percent |
Bottle contents | 70 centiliters |
Price | Approximately 50 euros |
Packaging with meaning
The Meikle Tòir series features distinctive packaging. For The Original 5 Year Old, the label is green with gold accents, while other releases in the series use blue, red, and orange. Each label and box showcases intricate artwork depicting the Speyside landscape and layers of peat beneath the distillery.
The box sides share the whisky’s story and tasting notes. The bold tagline 'Peated Perfection' highlights the brand’s mission and sets expectations high.
Has the mission succeeded? It's time to taste.
Aroma: a beautiful interplay of scents
Swirling this golden spirit in the glass, distinct notes of peat emerge from it. However, richer notes of mocha, warm milk, honey, vanilla, and delicate florals dominate.
The peat is part of a larger array of flavors, where everything is neatly balanced and no scent stands out above the rest. The longer you smell, the sweeter the whisky becomes to your nose.
Not excessively smoky
On the palate, the Meikle Tòir is smooth and warming. There’s a subtle ashy character reminiscent of woodfire smoke, balanced by coconut, caramel, citrus, and green apple. Hints of ginger occasionally peek through.
As the finish approaches, the sweetness fades, allowing the peat and spice to linger—leaving a final, smoky farewell.
Conclusion: Meikle Tòir the original 5 Year old review
The Meikle Tòir 5 Year Old delivers a well-balanced profile. It is neither overwhelmingly smoky nor overly sweet. Its earthy Highland peat character, layered with fruity and spicy elements, makes it an intriguing addition to Speyside’s whisky landscape and a must-try for fans of peated drams.
+ A balanced play on the palate
+ Not overly peated
+ Nicely priced
- If you don't like smoke you can better skip this one