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.
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery has released a new limited-edition single malt, the Aberfeldy 24 Year Old White Port Double Cask Finish, marking the latest addition to its Exceptional Cask whisky series. The whisky pairs Aberfeldy’s Highland heritage with influence from Portugal’s Douro Valley, where the White Port casks used for finishing were sourced. Only 252 bottles…
A new collaboration pairs Scotland’s national drink with one of its oldest design traditions. Whisky and tartan have long travelled together. Now, Cask Trade and celebrated Scottish designer Siobhan Mackenzie have brought the two together in a limited-edition single cask release that celebrates the country’s enduring craftsmanship through a contemporary lens. The collaboration marks the…
Cù Bòcan has introduced Creation #8, a limited-edition Highland single malt that explores a pioneering maturation using Canadian ice wine and Spanish Verdejo casks. Produced at Tomatin Distillery, Cù Bòcan is the experimental single malt brand created around the distillery’s lightly peated spirit. The name means ‘ghost dog’ in Gaelic, referencing a spirit said to…
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.
Exceptional Aberfeldy 24 Year Old single malt explores the bright side of Port cask whisky
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery has released a new limited-edition single malt, the Aberfeldy 24 Year Old White Port Double Cask Finish, marking the latest addition to its Exceptional Cask whisky series. The whisky pairs Aberfeldy’s Highland heritage with influence from Portugal’s Douro Valley, where the White Port casks used for finishing were sourced. Only 252 bottles…
New Nc’nean Cask Trade bottling celebrates Scottish craftsmanship through whisky and tartan
A new collaboration pairs Scotland’s national drink with one of its oldest design traditions. Whisky and tartan have long travelled together. Now, Cask Trade and celebrated Scottish designer Siobhan Mackenzie have brought the two together in a limited-edition single cask release that celebrates the country’s enduring craftsmanship through a contemporary lens. The collaboration marks the…
Cù Bòcan Creation #8 becomes first peated Scotch whisky matured in ice wine casks
Cù Bòcan has introduced Creation #8, a limited-edition Highland single malt that explores a pioneering maturation using Canadian ice wine and Spanish Verdejo casks. Produced at Tomatin Distillery, Cù Bòcan is the experimental single malt brand created around the distillery’s lightly peated spirit. The name means ‘ghost dog’ in Gaelic, referencing a spirit said to…
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