The Raasay Hebridean Single Malt Batch 1 marks a bold new chapter in Scottish whisky, the first-ever single malt distilled, matured, and bottled on the small island of Raasay, just off the coast of Skye. Released by the Isle of Raasay Distillery, which opened in 2017, this inaugural batch captures the island’s rugged maritime spirit and innovative soul. Crafted in harmony with its windswept surroundings, it blends subtle peat smoke, fruit brightness, and oak warmth, a modern island whisky rooted in ancient Hebridean character.

Product Details:

Brand: Isle of Raasay | Category: Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 46.4% | Edition: Batch 1 | Cask Type: A mix of Rye, Chinkapin, and Bordeaux Red Wine Casks | Origin: Scotland (Isle of Raasay) | Volume: 700ml

Tasting Profile:

Nose: Fresh and maritime, with notes of heather smoke, red berries, and honey. Hints of pepper, malt, and sea air mingle with soft vanilla and oak.
Palate: Rich yet balanced. Flavors of salted caramel, toasted oak, and spice combine with dark fruit, roasted nuts, and gentle peat. The wine cask influence adds a layer of sweetness and depth.
Finish: Long and warming with lingering notes of fruit, spice, and dry smoke, tapering into soft maritime minerality.

Production Details:

Distilled in small copper pot stills on the remote Isle of Raasay, this whisky uses Scottish barley and is lightly peated to around 48–52 ppm before dilution. It matures in a creative combination of Rye whiskey, Chinkapin oak, and Bordeaux red wine casks, each contributing distinct layers, spice from rye, vanilla from Chinkapin, and fruit from wine. Bottled at 46.4% ABV, natural color and non-chill filtered, it reflects both innovation and authenticity in equal measure.

Perfect For:

Perfect for whisky explorers and enthusiasts who appreciate modern island character, smoky but elegant, complex but approachable. Ideal for evenings when you want a whisky that feels both new and rooted in tradition.

Expert Notes:

Critics have praised Batch 1 as “a remarkable debut, refined beyond its years.” Its combination of cask innovation and Hebridean terroir creates a unique flavor profile, earning it a reputation as one of the most exciting new Scotch releases of the decade.

Customer Reviews:

“Beautifully balanced, gentle smoke, fruit, and spice in perfect harmony.”   Alastair M.
“Proof that young whisky can be exceptional when crafted right.”   Fiona H.
“A taste of the islands with a modern twist, bold, clean, and memorable.”   Rob D.

Interesting Fact:

The Isle of Raasay Distillery is one of Scotland’s most remote, with views across to Skye and the Cuillin Hills. The island’s volcanic geology and mineral-rich water play a vital role in shaping the whisky’s distinctive maritime minerality.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve neat or with a few drops of water to reveal layers of fruit and smoke. For pairing, try with sea salt chocolate, smoked almonds, or hard cheeses to complement its briny-sweet complexity.

Distillery Background:

Founded in 2017, the Isle of Raasay Distillery was built to create whiskies that express the spirit of the island itself, wild, independent, and naturally beautiful. Combining traditional Scottish methods with contemporary cask experimentation, the distillery crafts limited batches that tell a story of place and process. The Hebridean Single Malt Batch 1 is its historic first release, a milestone whisky that captures the essence of Raasay: elemental, elegant, and entirely its own.