Two Isle of Raasay, or cherries vs pumpernickel


February 13, 2026

Two Isle of Raasay, or cherries vs pumpernickel

I agree, two Raasays aren’t too many. It’s one of the young distilleries we’re rather fond of!

Isle of Raasay 2021/2025 (48%, OB, France exclusive, matured in red Bourgogne)

For us, maturations in red wine casks are always slightly worrying (I know, I do go on) but one never quite knows. We assume it was pinot noir, yet do note that there is also gamay in Bourgogne, not solely in Beaujolais. Indeed, fifty years ago there was a great deal of gamay, even in the Côte d’Or. Anyway, let us move along, this is not bourgognefun here… Colour: gold with apricotty hues. Nose: our good fortune here is that the distillate was still brimming with barley, yeast, earth and all those fermentary things that we rather cherish, as a consequence of which the blackcurrants and cherries behave themselves properly and we are spared any true cocktail effect. Phew. Mouth: the red fruits are more emphatic here, the whole veering slightly towards a kirschy side, yet we also find a few impressions of Belgian ‘Kriek’ beer, which I personally enjoy, and which incidentally causes all my Belgian friends to tease me gently. In short… Lyon’s praline tart. It remains a truly good whisky, yet we are clearly within premix territory. Finish: long, more kirschy, more peppery. Comments: but why are all the Scots now using red wine casks? Merely a question of cost?
SGP:651 - 80 points.

Isle of Raasay (60.9%, OB for Kirsch Import, Awakening Series, for Whisky Live Germany, PX sherry quarter cask, cask #21/1231)

Colour: deep gold. Nose: Germany 1 – France 0. It looks like the result of a football match from the 1970s or 1980s, doesn’t it? The absence of red fruits is a true blessing, while the walnut liqueur, mushrooms and damp earth are blessings too. Not forgetting the national pumpernickel, which we adore to the highest degree, it is almost malt whisky in solid form. Yes, indeed… But do take care, this Raasay is a little strong… With water: damp earth, fresh mastic, virgin wool and just a handful of fresh barley. Mouth (neat): excellent, taut, certainly young and vigorous, and a little rustic here and there, yet green pepper, smoke and lemon perfectly complete that famous… pumpernickel. With water: perfect young coastal malt, close to its ingredients, without Botox or excessive makeup. Despite the quarter cask, and despite the PX, perhaps it was refill? Finish: long, delightfully earthy, just as we like it. Comments: indeed, I do like this BKaiser-Franz of whisky very much.
SGP:553 - 87 points.

Check the index of all Raasay we've tasted