Origin: Isle of Raasay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 61.9%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Rye
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: R&B Distillers
Average price: € 150.00
Official website: raasaydistillery.com
The whisky produced by Isle of Raasay is based on the principle of Na Sia, meaning “the six” in Gaelic, referring to the six casks used for their single malt scotch whisky: ex-Bordeaux red wine casks, new chinquapin oak casks and ex-rye casks, duplicated between peated and unpeated distillates.
Starting in 2024, every two years the distillery will release single casks of increasing age for each of the components, the unpeated ones in the first half of the year and the peated ones in the second, so as to showcase the individual ingredients of the recipe.
Today, I am trying the unpeated version taken from an ex-rye cask (19/266), sourced from Woodford Reserve (whose rye contains 53% rye in its recipe), released in mid-2024 with a declared age of five years.
Tasting Notes
Acidic on the nose with apple and pear juice, unripe banana, ginger, cinnamon and almonds. The ingredients evolve into an idea of apple strudel, while liquorice root, aniseed, black bread and caramel linger in the background. Simple and direct, with a high alcohol content that is perfectly integrated.
On the palate, the influence of rye is more evident, with the marked spiciness of black pepper and ginger intersecting with cinnamon and nutmeg, diving into cooked apple and a distinct note of rye bread. The bitter notes are accentuated, with rhubarb, aniseed and liquorice, while the sweeter aspects (sugared almond, caramelised apple) soften the impact. Dry on the finish, with a hint of salt.
The finish is not very long and dry, with spices, apple, bread, bitter and vegetal notes, salt.
Review: Rather simple and not particularly expressive, little more than a curiosity in exploring the construction of Raasay single malt, which as an exquisitely nerdy exercise is a tad too expensive.
Vote: 83/100