The Isle of Raasay Distillery has introduced a new single malt matured exclusively in uncommon American oak. Chinkapin, or Quercus muehlenbergii, is a North American species traditionally used only as a finishing cask. At Raasay, it has been part of the distillery’s maturation programme from the beginning.
The Chinkapin takes its position as the third permanent expression in the distillery’s core whisky range, and is believed to be the first single malt fully matured in both fresh and refill Chinkapin oak casks.
Located on a small island between Skye and the Scottish mainland, the Isle of Raasay Distillery combines traditional Scotch whisky methods with a carefully considered wood policy, an approach led by co-founder and master distiller Alasdair Day. Day describes the oak as the distillery’s superpower.
“Chinkapin oak has been part of our story since day one,” says Day. “It’s the glue that holds our flagship malt, The Draam, together. By giving The Chinkapin its own place in our core range, we’re offering an alternative that is rich, deep, yet instantly recognisable as a Raasay dram.”
Bottled at 50.2% ABV, The Chinkapin is believed to be the first single malt Scotch fully matured in both fresh and refill Chinkapin oak casks.
For this expression, the spirit, made using 100% Scottish barley, combines peated and unpeated whisky matured separately in custom-built 190-litre Chinkapin barrels. These casks are specified with a high toast and heavy char, increasing interaction between spirit and oak during maturation.
According to the distillery, the process helps deliver a darker colour and a flavour profile with an unusual range of savoury and sweet notes.
Bottled at 50.2% ABV, The Chinkapin is believed to be the first single malt Scotch fully matured in both fresh and refill Chinkapin oak casks…
Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin tasting notes
Bottled at 50.2% ABV, the Chinkapin continues the lightly peated style associated with the Raasay house character, while emphasising the distinctive influence of the oak. Tasting notes supplied by the distillery describe a nose of wood smoke and rich dark fruits, with Barbecue glaze, honey, bright lime, cinnamon and smoked ham coming through on the palate. The finish features Sandalwood and lingering fragrant smoke
Like all whiskies produced by the distillery, every stage of The Chinkapin’s production takes place on the island itself, from distillation through maturation to bottling.
Presented in a gold and black bottle design, The Chinkapin single malt Scotch whisky sells for £61.95 from The Whisky Exchange.
The Whisky Exchange has announced a loyalty programme that will reward customers with exclusive bottlings, shared knowledge, discounts and much more. Current customers subscribed to The Whisky Exchange newsletter are first in line, before the scheme rolls out to all customers mid-April. Friends of The Whisky Exchange will be open to all customers around the…
The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
El Supremo Rum, from Paraguay, has launched in the UK, bringing a distinctive national style – Caña Paraguaya – to British rum fans. Produced in partnership with CAPASA, Paraguay’s state‑owned sugarcane alcohol producer, the range draws on traditional production methods rooted in indigenous Guaraní culture. El Supremo is made using 100% sugarcane juice that’s reduced…
The Luxe Review 
The Isle of Raasay Distillery has introduced a new single malt matured exclusively in uncommon American oak. Chinkapin, or Quercus muehlenbergii, is a North American species traditionally used only as a finishing cask. At Raasay, it has been part of the distillery’s maturation programme from the beginning.
The Chinkapin takes its position as the third permanent expression in the distillery’s core whisky range, and is believed to be the first single malt fully matured in both fresh and refill Chinkapin oak casks.
Located on a small island between Skye and the Scottish mainland, the Isle of Raasay Distillery combines traditional Scotch whisky methods with a carefully considered wood policy, an approach led by co-founder and master distiller Alasdair Day. Day describes the oak as the distillery’s superpower.
“Chinkapin oak has been part of our story since day one,” says Day. “It’s the glue that holds our flagship malt, The Draam, together. By giving The Chinkapin its own place in our core range, we’re offering an alternative that is rich, deep, yet instantly recognisable as a Raasay dram.”
Bottled at 50.2% ABV, The Chinkapin is believed to be the first single malt Scotch fully matured in both fresh and refill Chinkapin oak casks.
For this expression, the spirit, made using 100% Scottish barley, combines peated and unpeated whisky matured separately in custom-built 190-litre Chinkapin barrels. These casks are specified with a high toast and heavy char, increasing interaction between spirit and oak during maturation.
According to the distillery, the process helps deliver a darker colour and a flavour profile with an unusual range of savoury and sweet notes.
Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin tasting notes
Bottled at 50.2% ABV, the Chinkapin continues the lightly peated style associated with the Raasay house character, while emphasising the distinctive influence of the oak. Tasting notes supplied by the distillery describe a nose of wood smoke and rich dark fruits, with Barbecue glaze, honey, bright lime, cinnamon and smoked ham coming through on the palate. The finish features Sandalwood and lingering fragrant smoke
Like all whiskies produced by the distillery, every stage of The Chinkapin’s production takes place on the island itself, from distillation through maturation to bottling.
Presented in a gold and black bottle design, The Chinkapin single malt Scotch whisky sells for £61.95 from The Whisky Exchange.
The Whisky Exchange launches loyalty programme with exclusive bottlings and discounts
The Whisky Exchange has announced a loyalty programme that will reward customers with exclusive bottlings, shared knowledge, discounts and much more. Current customers subscribed to The Whisky Exchange newsletter are first in line, before the scheme rolls out to all customers mid-April. Friends of The Whisky Exchange will be open to all customers around the…
Triple-distilled Pineapple Bananza Irish single malt joins SMWS Heresy range
The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
First Pour: El Supremo brings Paraguayan Caña style sugarcane honey rum to UK
El Supremo Rum, from Paraguay, has launched in the UK, bringing a distinctive national style – Caña Paraguaya – to British rum fans. Produced in partnership with CAPASA, Paraguay’s state‑owned sugarcane alcohol producer, the range draws on traditional production methods rooted in indigenous Guaraní culture. El Supremo is made using 100% sugarcane juice that’s reduced…
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