Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask

Inspiration for the Isle of Raasay Single Malt came from some older styles of Hebridean single malts. Styles that had been lost through the ages and are not as prevalent anymore. This became the inspiration for the Isle of Raasay Distillery signature flavour profile: a lightly peated whisky, balanced with rich dark fruit flavours.

Raasay’s remarkable geology, island shores, the modern Scottish island distillery and unique water source inspired both the creation and presentation of the island’s first Scottish gin which was the first legal spirit from Raasay, an island rooted in centuries of illicit distilling.

On 14th September 2017, the Isle of Raasay Distillery opened its doors and spirit was flowing. The island’s first legal distillation had finally taken place. After a night of music, fire, song and dance it was time to introduce their Hebridean spirits to the world.

Since its establishment, the Isle of Raasay Distillery has brought job opportunities to the island, worked closely with other local businesses and become embedded in the island’s tight-knit community. Part of the distillery’s ethos is to produce, mature, bottle and market every drop of spirit directly from the island. This seeks to maximise the influence of the island on the spirit, and the distillery on the island. To quote the inimitable Whisky Writer Dave Broom at our distillery opening: we are not just making alcohol, we are making spirit.

The distillery now employs more than 25 people on the island and the average age of the Raasay workforce is approximately 30 years old. At least one of the employees is about to become a new parent too! An early indicator of creating inter-generational values and making sure this special island of 161 people continues to thrive.

The Marsala Cask

Expertly crafted from Raasay’s lightly peated spirit and fully matured in ex Frazzitta Marsala Vergine barriques, before being bottled at a robust 50.7% ABV. This Marsala-matured single malt is laden with flavours of baked apples with apricots and lingering smoked toffee, representing a unique confluence of Sicilian wine heritage and modern Scottish whisky craftsmanship that results in a rare, highly collectible expression.

Frazzitta is a historic Marsala producer founded in the 19th century, known for aging Marsala wines over long periods; their casks are often found in trade and collectors’ circles. Marsala Vergine is one of the highest classifications in the Marsala wine family, a fortified wine from Marsala, Sicily, protected by the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC). The barrels used are typically seasoned with Marsala Vergine for decades. Marsala Vergine casks, particularly from a historic producer like Frazzitta, are extremely rare in the whisky industry, offering a distinctive and authentic Marsala cask finish unlike most Marsala-finished whiskies.

Release Date: August 2025
ABV: 50.7%
Peat Level: 8-10ppm
Presentation: Natural colour, non-chill filtered
Cask Type: Ex Marsala Barrique
Spirit Types: Isle of Raasay peated & unpeated spirit
Barley Type: Diablo & Concerto
Yeast type: Distilamax MW

Water Source: 60 metre well on site
Fermentation Time: 3 and 5 day fermentations
Spirit Cut Point: 5%-76% and 75%-65%
Cask Filling Strength: 63.5% abv
Distilled: May-July 2021
Vatted: June 2025
Bottling: July 2025
Maturation & Bottling: Isle of Raasay Distillery

Tasting Notes

Nose: Grape must, sweet, slight sharpness, parma violets.

Palate: Stewed apples, ginger, maple syrup, sweet pear, balsamic vinegar.

Finish: Long and lingering smoke.