Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask
Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask is the first release in the Limited Releases series from the Raasay Distillery, established in 2014 on the Isle of Raasay, Scotland. Matured in Marsala wine casks, this expression is bottled at 50.7% ABV, non-chill filtered and with no added coloring. Although it does not carry an age statement, we know that it is approximately 4 years old.
| Country / Region | Scotland / Islands |
|---|---|
| Brand | Isle of Raasay |
| Type | Single Malt |
| Abv (%) | 50.7 |
| Character | Coastal, Sweet, Lightly peated |
| Price at the time of tasting | £65.75 |
| Nose | The wine cask influence is immediately noticeable on the first sniff. Notes of grape, red apple, and caramel are accompanied by leather, old books, and cigar smoke. Herbal tea, clove, and anise follow. The smoky character doesn’t reveal itself right away, but once you take a sip and return to the glass, it becomes much more pronounced. |
|---|---|
| Palate | Flavors of salted caramel, grape, red apple, and ginger are joined by smoke and a touch of anise. The palate grows increasingly dry and warm. With a few drops of water, it turns creamier and more balanced. |
| Finish | A long finish with notes of ginger, black pepper, smoke, and candy apple. |
| Overall: | Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask caught my attention because it spent its full maturation in Marsala wine casks, something we usually encounter only in the finishing stage. This expression delivers an intriguing profile with a lightly smoky character, marked by grape, apple, and ginger. In my opinion, it’s much more enjoyable with a few drops of water. |
| Rating | 84/100 |