Origin: Isle of Raasay (Scozia)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50.7%ABV
Ageing casks: New Colombian oak
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: R&B Distillers
Average price: € 120.00
Official website: raasaydistillery.com
Vote: 84/100
First release of the new Oak Species Maturation Series, inaugurated in June 2024 with this bottling made from a 2021 distillate that spent its entire maturation in new 225-litre Colombian oak casks (hence the name). Resulting from the union of peated and unpeated new make, it’s part of a collection that aims to show the result of the interaction between Raasay’s distillate and oak types rarely (or never) used for maturation, taking advantage of the ‘freedoms’ granted by the strict Scotch whisky specification.
Tasting Notes
A very intense and spicy nose, initially reminiscent of a rye, so strong is the presence of nutmeg and cloves at first approach, enveloping malt biscuits, baked pear and apple, chocolate, coffee candies and roasted juniper berries. In the background a part of aromatic herbs appears, between thyme and marjoram, which joins the roasted impressions in a pleasant herbaceous and slightly smoky closure.
In the mouth it is the smoke that opens the dances, gentle and always declined in herbaceous tones, surrounding a clear presence of coffee and chocolate accompanied by cooked fruit, short pastry, nuts. In length, the herbaceous part acquires balsamic notes.
Not very long finish of roasted herbs, nuts, cooked pear, balsamic notes.
An interaction that works with Raasay’s young distillate and its gentle peatiness, even if it really does suffer the sin of the few years spent in casks that do not allow it to go beyond pleasant drinking, but it confirms itself as a very solid promise for the future.