Raasay Special Release 3 Years Old 2021

This official Isle of Raasay single malt from the Special Release matured to 3 year old, distilled in 2021 and bottled at 50.7%. 8500 bottles in all. The Isle of Raasay Distillery, opened in 2017, is the first legal distillery on its tiny Hebridean island. Water comes from Tobar na Ba Baine, the Well of the Pale Cow, a spring and borehole on the island.

It was worked through a lantern wash still with a cooling jacket and a swan neck spirit still, following a fermentation as long as 118 hours, drawing out a dark berry sweetness. Virgin and ex-Bourbon American oak drove a bold vanilla and spice here. Young and vibrant, the spirit's berry fruit sits forward over the cask spice. Active wood and a vibrant new make mean the cask speaks early in the whisky's life. The Italian built stills give the new make its clean, fruity backbone. R&B Distillers set out to build a leading artisan distillery from a blank sheet.

At cask strength 50.7% it is muscular. The cask lends vanilla, baking spice and a honeyed sweetness with a clean coastal lift behind. A bramble fruit and a warm spice run through. A bright, berry led finish lingers. This is the new wave of Hebridean whisky in a glass.