Checking on immaculate Isle of Raasay malt
It has been a while since I tasted anything from the Isle of Raasay. I owned their very first release and downed quite a few glasses from that, back in the day. But we have moved on, the year is 2026, and today we find two samples on the table no less! The first one comes from the series by the Thompson Brothers, releasing secretive whisky in Mystery bottles. The other is an official release for the Netherlands. Interesting casks in use here, so let’s dive in.
Isle of Raasay 4 years old, bottled at 48,5 % abv by Thompson Brothers
First things first: This Isle of Raasay single malt apparently matured in a Dutch virgin oak hogshead. In batch 3 of the Mystery Malt series, this produced 353 bottles. Bottled in 2025.
Upon Sipping: Considerably deep in colour, very golden. While reading some reviews on Whiskybase, someone remarked this smells like a port cask, and I have to agree! Lots of red fruit, strawberry ice-cream, cherry pie and warm bread. Very rich and full of joy, with only the faintest whiff of smoke in the background. Perhaps some notes of pine tree, or the Christmas tree lying on the sidewalk in the streets, waiting to be picked up. With the candy canes still in it, that is! The taste holds tight to the strawberry influence, but with chocolate notes. Reminds me of Ritter Sport Strawberry indeed. The finish carries a hot, slow burn as if this was a cask strength bottling. The wood is aggressive but pleasing. It softens up with water, while keeping the other traits untouched. The smoke is a tad bitter, leaning towards ashy, but saved by the strong fruit influences. It gains strength with enough time to breathe. Very creamy on the finish after repeated sips.
Word to the Wise: An extremely singular single malt, this Isle of Raasay in the Mystery Malt range. I loved the red fruit influences, which makes me wonder about this virgin oak cask. In any case, a very entertaining dram!
Score: 83 points.
Isle of Raasay 4 years old, bottled at 51 % abv
First things first: A single cask Colombian Virgin Oak for The Specialist’s Choice Netherlands. Distilled on 17 February 2021 and bottled on 30 July 2025.
Upon Sipping: I had a peated Tomatin (Cu Bocan) once from Colombian oak, and I liked that expression very much, so high hopes for this one too. Not totally unlike the Mystery Malt we tasted before this one, but this lacks (or omits) the fruity explosion. I like this better, it feels more natural, with the pine wood and resin more pronounced. There is still a fruity note of exotic specimens, but it is rather kept in check by a strong oaky note. The smoke influence is again very modest, but gives off complexity in spades. Really impressive how this performs at just 4 years old. The taste is more sweet than I expected it to be, with beautiful smoky peaches and slightly ashy lemons on the finish. Really clean and enjoyable! Fresh island malt.
Word to the Wise: I remember tasting the first batch expression of Isle of Raasay, being bothered by red wine casks in the mix. This is way more pure without the virginity of the cask being a problem. It predicts an amazing future for this single malt.
Score: 86 points.