New from Raasay and Tiree

Hello everyone

A sample of the new Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask arrived last week and I didn‘t get a chance to try it until towards the weekend. This is a higher strength (50.7%abv), limited edition (12,300 bottles for the whole globe) and was matured only in Marsala Vergine casks, rather rare in the whisky industry, from the Frazzitta winery in Sicily. By the way, these were casks for dry marsala not the sweeter dolce version. So what‘s my impression?

Appearance: Rich gold with a hint of tawny; brass highlights.Tears quite slow to form sticky and close.

Nose: Lightly smoky but also a heady sweetness like night-scented florals. Baked fruits, honey andorange blosson. Sweet oak and candied citrus zest. With water, some alomd/marzipan; some light spice (mace and allspice). A slight waft of oak toast.

Palate: Smoky and peppery at first, smoky black fruits; licorice; oak tannins and shavings with some tarry and coffee notes.

Finish: Long, smoky oak, dry. A tiny hint of sweet fruit at the back.

Certainly one I‘d happily try more than once. The nose leads you to expect something sweeter and less smoky on the palate but that‘s not the case. This one‘s been available through good, independent UK specialists and the distillery website since 7th August and will soon be found in key markets including Germany, France and the USA. Expect to find it at around £75 in the UK.

In other news from Raasay they‘ve extended their accommodation offerings by opening some bothains (bothies)or cabins but definitely at the upmarket end. We‘re not talking basic log cabins here. I hope to be able to tell you more about them in October as I‘m up there with a group of friends and acquaintances though we‘re using the main house and not these new spaces. If there‘s one unoccupied for me to look at I‘ll say some more then. Meantime, for those of you not from Scotland, you should know that a bothy is „a homely shelter typically found across the Scottish countryside where weary travellers could find respite from the elements“. These ones will have views back over to Skye and each one is different inside. Bookings are open now for stays from 9th October till end November and then for early in 2026. A 1-night stay will set you back a minimum of £360 for B&B but there is a package with some great additions. Have a look on the website for more info. Sadly I‘m going for only one night but two would be ideal if you can manage it. You‘d maybe have to spend a night on Skye too or on the mainland not far from Skye before going over to Raasay.

Last for this time is news that Ian and Alain of Isle of Tiree Distillery have a new offering coming out in September. It‘s Isle of Tiree Single Grain rye whisky and the rules allow that though it is 75% rye. The rest is barley. I‘ve been given the chance to nose and taste and it‘s another limited edition tasty morsel from Tiree. It‘s 4 years old and was matured in two 100L virgin oak casks and then re-racked into an ex-bourbon cask.

My detailed notes are:

Appearance: Warm, old gold with gold highlights. Tears quite quick to form and close together.

Nose: Youthful yet subtly layered. Sweet apple, pear and plum fruit; barley sugar, demerara and icing sugars; sweet oak and subtle vanilla. Slight sea air. A touch of beer from cooked, fermented grains. A wisp of char. With water, a little waxy at first then fruit reappears, though nose does flatten. Light honeycomb. Cooked grains and banana skins. Sweet spices and a touch of marzipan. (Nosed from bottle, caramel and floral notes with baked maple syrup/honey and earthy oak.)

Palate: Slightly viscous and still quite young. Apple and plum skins and light vanilla notes. A hint of salt and some green leafy notes. Savoury and sweet spice including ginger. Sweet oak wood and earthiness plus a dab of pepper.

Finish: Quite long for its age, spicy and dry with a touch of vanilla and salt. Beer notes edge in a little later.

Launch and availability via distillery website are 9th September. No pics of pack as yet. It‘s being bottled only this week.

That‘s all from me for now. Back later this month with more.

Till then, happy dramming!

Slainte mhath,

Caroline