New Isle Of Raasay Distillery Whisky Matured In Ex-Manzanilla Casks

Scotland’s Isle of Raasay Distillery recently unveiled a new, limited-edition expression in honor of their recent “Tourism Destination of the Year” award at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2022.

A statement from the Scotch whisky maker notes that this new distillery exclusive is inspired by the rugged and beautiful Isle of Raasay, and the whisky-making team chose a blend of Sherry and ex-Manzanilla Pasada casks to give the expression a salty, maritime note reminiscent of the island’s climate.

The distiller’s notes show that what they came up with is a whisky that’s lightly peated with notes of chamomile, almonds and salted caramel, and clocks in at a whopping 63.5% ABV.

Scotland’s Isle of Raasay Distillery recently unveiled a new, limited-edition expression in honor of their recent “Tourism Destination of the Year” award at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2022. (image via Isle of Raasay)

Alasdair Day, co-founder and master distiller, described the Isle of Raasay as a small, rugged, windswept Hebridean island that lies off the east coast of Skye. An island off an island if you will.

“With all of our spirit being matured on Raasay in our warehouses, there has been a lot of discussion about our maritime climate and how this may influence the flavor characteristics of our maturing whisky,” he said. “It was with this thought in mind, combined with the tradition of maturing Scotch whisky in Sherry casks, that we selected a small quantity of ex-Manzanilla Pasada casks for our Isle of Raasay Single Malt to mature in.”

He described Manzanilla as a very dry sherry, similar to Fino, made in the same way but at the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda next to the sea and not inland in Jerez. This style produces a salty maritime note in Manzanilla.

“It is this note that we were looking to promote in this very special release of our Isle of Raasay Hebridean Single Malt. It combines our maturation by the sea with the maritime influence of the Manzanilla Sherry,” Day said.

They made 2,500 bottles of “Distillery Exclusive – Tourism Destination of the Year,” which is available now at their online whisky club as well as at the Isle of Raasay Distillery. It has a suggested retail price of £95.

For more information or to get a bottle, check out www.raasaydistillery.com/raasay-whisky.