50,2°
Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands
Fresh and Refill Chinkapin Oak Casks
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2026
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Lightly Peated
This is the new release for the year from this distillery, founded in 2017 on the island of Raasay, which is one of Scotland’s most interesting young distilleries. Eighty per cent of the whisky has been matured in virgin oak casks, and 20 per cent in refill casks. Some of the barley used is peated at around 50 ppm, whilst the rest is unpeated. The proportions are not specified, so I cannot estimate the peat level, but it is relatively light, less than 30 ppm anyway. These new American oak casks have a high vanillin content. They were toasted and charred specifically for the distillery. As for the age, it is a minimum of three years, the last distillation took place in 2022, and the bottling in February 2026.
Let's Taste It :
Toasted wheat, cinnamon, smoky wood, dates, egg flan. Peat sinking into black earth and damp bark. Coffee grounds, Van Houten chocolate. Wild berries, a pinch of sea salt. A hint of minerality, the scent of the open sea. On the palate, the vanilla is intense, as are the citrus notes, crushed lemon, freshly squeezed grapefruit. Mountain honey, redcurrants, almost floral peat, cured ham. Very powerful spices, leading into a long finish, full of smoke, sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, cumin and various peppers. Sanded wood.
In Short,
It’s much more intense than The Draam, but not necessarily more complex. There’s a strong woody note, but without any bitterness, the peat is more pronounced, with both floral and mineral notes, and the spices are quite intense. I found it very enjoyable, it really brings out the best in the spirit, and it’s full of character. The price makes me a bit hesitant to buy it, but it’s definitely worth a taste.
Score : 87+
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Sabrina Jordan - Burden the Heavens
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