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.
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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 Dalmore Distillery Select series returns with a 14 Year Old Marsala-finished single malt whisky
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
Penelope Bourbon arrives in the UK with three new whiskies and a trio of bold cocktail ideas
Penelope Bourbon has arrived in the UK, with three intriguing expressions and a fresh take on whiskey drinking. Founded in the US in 2018, Penelope has built its reputation around distinctive mash bills, barrel finishes and a growing collection of limited editions. For its UK debut, the blending-focused brand is introducing Four Grain Straight Bourbon,…
Brugal completes Colección Visionaria series with limited-edition coconut rum
Brugal is bringing its Colección Visionaria series to a close with a limited-edition rum shaped by one of the Dominican Republic’s most familiar ingredients. Created by fifth-generation Maestra Ronera Jassil Villanueva Quintana, Colección Visionaria Edición 03 Coconut is the final expression in a three-part collection that explores Dominican culture through ingredients and rum-making techniques. Fore…
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