Hebridean distillery Isle of Raasay has released its first ever Marsala Cask Single Malt whisky, a limited-edition expression matured exclusively in Marsala Vergine casks sourced from the Frazzitta winery in Sicily. Bottled at 50.7% ABV, only 12,300 bottles are available worldwide.
While wine casks in whisky maturation are nothing new, Marsala Vergine is a more elusive choice, bone dry, and far removed from the sweeter Marsala most drinkers may know. These casks have been previously seasoned for up to 30 years with wine from Frazzitta, one of Sicily’s oldest Marsala producers.
“This is one of the most distinctive cask maturations we’ve ever released,” says Master Distiller Alasdair Day. “Marsala Vergine casks, particularly from a historic producer like Frazzitta, are rare in the whisky industry. They’ve added beautiful layers of dried fruit, toasted nuts, and an oxidative depth to our Raasay spirit.”
Marsala Vergine is a more elusive choice, bone dry, and far removed from the sweeter Marsala most drinkers may know…
Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask Single Malt tasting notes
The Isle of Raasay house style is achieved through a blend of peated and unpeated spirit, both matured separately before being married for balance and complexity. Distilled May-July 2021, the Marsala influence here adds extra intrigue.
In the glass, the liquid is a golden amber. On the nose, there’s light, sweet smoke, undercut by the aroma of baked fruit, raisins and pine nuts.
The smoke doesn’t dominate the palette (the peat level is an approachable 8-10ppm), but mingles politely with the aforementioned fruits, syrup, and salted caramel toffee.
The exit is long and dry, with echoes of burnt toffee and a fleeting hint of lemon.
In design, the bottle introduces a new aesthetic to the Raasay range, drawing inspiration from the island’s slate-grey volcanic rock and fossil-marked shorelines. It’s a visual cue to the whisky’s origins, meant to give more distinction to Raasay’s limited releases, and it looks quite splendid.
“Our range has grown quickly,” explains Managing Director William Dobbie. “This new look helps mark out our special releases while still telling the story of where we come from.”
Priced at £75, Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask Single Malt is available from the distillery’s website and selected UK independents, with shipments also heading to the USA, Japan, France, Germany, and Australia.
Prawn lovers, we have found your festive dining plans in the capital. ISSO Prawn Crazy, the new Sri Lankan restaurant in Canary Wharf, is serving three Christmas menus packed with seafood, curries and traditional island flavours. Book a festive meal and you could also win a holiday to Sri Lanka for two in 2027. Available…
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London’s Shogun Sakes is putting English sake on the drinks map with a Peckham-brewed Junmai that could make an intriguing Christmas gift for spirits enthusiasts. Traditionally associated with Japan, the rice-based drink is now finding a foothold in the UK, with independent producer Shogun Sakes brewing its Pure English Sake in small batches in Peckham.…
Hebridean distillery Isle of Raasay has released its first ever Marsala Cask Single Malt whisky, a limited-edition expression matured exclusively in Marsala Vergine casks sourced from the Frazzitta winery in Sicily. Bottled at 50.7% ABV, only 12,300 bottles are available worldwide.
While wine casks in whisky maturation are nothing new, Marsala Vergine is a more elusive choice, bone dry, and far removed from the sweeter Marsala most drinkers may know. These casks have been previously seasoned for up to 30 years with wine from Frazzitta, one of Sicily’s oldest Marsala producers.
“This is one of the most distinctive cask maturations we’ve ever released,” says Master Distiller Alasdair Day. “Marsala Vergine casks, particularly from a historic producer like Frazzitta, are rare in the whisky industry. They’ve added beautiful layers of dried fruit, toasted nuts, and an oxidative depth to our Raasay spirit.”
Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask Single Malt tasting notes
The Isle of Raasay house style is achieved through a blend of peated and unpeated spirit, both matured separately before being married for balance and complexity. Distilled May-July 2021, the Marsala influence here adds extra intrigue.
In the glass, the liquid is a golden amber. On the nose, there’s light, sweet smoke, undercut by the aroma of baked fruit, raisins and pine nuts.
The smoke doesn’t dominate the palette (the peat level is an approachable 8-10ppm), but mingles politely with the aforementioned fruits, syrup, and salted caramel toffee.
The exit is long and dry, with echoes of burnt toffee and a fleeting hint of lemon.
In design, the bottle introduces a new aesthetic to the Raasay range, drawing inspiration from the island’s slate-grey volcanic rock and fossil-marked shorelines. It’s a visual cue to the whisky’s origins, meant to give more distinction to Raasay’s limited releases, and it looks quite splendid.
“Our range has grown quickly,” explains Managing Director William Dobbie. “This new look helps mark out our special releases while still telling the story of where we come from.”
Priced at £75, Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask Single Malt is available from the distillery’s website and selected UK independents, with shipments also heading to the USA, Japan, France, Germany, and Australia.
Prawn lovers, ISSO Prawn Crazy’s festive menus come with the chance to win a Sri Lankan holiday
Prawn lovers, we have found your festive dining plans in the capital. ISSO Prawn Crazy, the new Sri Lankan restaurant in Canary Wharf, is serving three Christmas menus packed with seafood, curries and traditional island flavours. Book a festive meal and you could also win a holiday to Sri Lanka for two in 2027. Available…
Laphroaig Strong Characters Chapter Two is a 35 Year Old single malt tribute to its historic distillery owner
Laphroaig has released Strong Characters Chapter Two, a limited-edition 35 Year Old single malt celebrating Dugald Johnston, the son of co-founder Donald Johnston. The release follows the inaugural 33 Year Old bottling, which honoured Donald, and continues a series recognising those who have shaped the Islay distillery’s history. Dugald inherited Laphroaig during a difficult period…
This Peckham-brewed Pure English Sake is a different kind of festive pour
London’s Shogun Sakes is putting English sake on the drinks map with a Peckham-brewed Junmai that could make an intriguing Christmas gift for spirits enthusiasts. Traditionally associated with Japan, the rice-based drink is now finding a foothold in the UK, with independent producer Shogun Sakes brewing its Pure English Sake in small batches in Peckham.…
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