Isle Of Raasay Whisky Distillery of the Year Edition 2023

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.

Honouring our success at the Scottish Whisky Awatds last year when Raasay were crowned "Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year", we are delighted to bring you this limited edition, ‘Distillery of the Year’ release.

Distilled in August 2018, bottled in August 2023, this whisky is the oldest liquid Raasay have released to date.

This whisky is unpeated spirit matured in ex Four Roses bourbon casks before a second maturation in Quercus humboldtii oak and offers delicious notes of vanilla and butterscotch with a long finish of crème brûlée.

Tasting Notes

Expect aromas of vanilla bean and sweet butterscotch, before a gorgeously sweet palate full of caramel, vanilla, black cherry and hints of savoury spice. The lengthy finish brings all the flavours together in a creme brulee close.