Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Peated Ex-Bordeaux Red Wine

Choppy and rough. Hoping it gets better, but it doesnt. Then suddenly, it does! A few weeks ago, we took a fast ferry from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. If you’ve never been, its a worthwhile excursion if you have the time ( a full day). Yiu see, this national park is about 70 miles out in the ocean from Key West. That means choppy seas. Real choppy. In fact, i was able to count on one hand how many people were not throwing up ( fortunately my daughter and i had no effect). Then it gets worse. 10 foot waves crashing against out ferry, combined with a sudden tropical thunderstorm. I spent over $250 for this? Sitting in the SS VomitBucket ?!? Nothing worse for us Amercians than to see our sparse vacation days suddenly gone to sea sickness. But…all the sudden, it cleared up as we approched the island fortress. Maybe the day is saved. Yes…it is..a day of gorgeous remote island scenary. That’s like this pour. Started so damn rough. Young and medicinal peat. Just harsh. Lemons, light body, medicinal smoke , which didnt seem integrated at all. Added some water. Nope. Still the same. Added a huge piece of ice. Finally! Now we’re talking. Finally my $5 purchase of one dram paid off. Citrus flavors shine, with the smoke much better integrated—-like a young Laphroaig wanna-be. Would I buy a full bottle? No..but i like where they’re going…give it time.

I really enjoy this one. Peat is just right and the wine finish os excellent. Love that this one has a higher ABV. Will definitely be looking for future releases from them.

Schön eingebundener Rauch mit Chillinoten, wobei das Bordeauxfass denn doch etwas untergeht.

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual Isle of Raasay Na Sia Tasting, 24 November 2022). This was an interesting tasting showing the Na Sia (The Six, in Scots Gaelic) single cask range from Raasay. Before Raasay released it’s first own malt whisky from their distillery, I was invited to taste the aging spirit from the same range as this tasting. I have compared the now whisky to the aged spirit before fully matured as a comparison – shown at the end of the notes. Nose: Cherries, berries, very light peat, TCP/medicinal, sweet Palate: Light harsh peat, grappa, very spiced and tannic. Salt and seaweed Finish: Medium long finish. Berries, dried dark fruits, spice and a strongly peppery aftertaste. Casks include those sourced from Chateau Margeaux and Chateau Rothschild. Compared against: Spirit matured for 28 months. The 28 month spirit has more of the same notes but just generally less well integrated. There's a bizarrely metallic finish. The extra few months takes the same notes but smooths everything out. The peat in the 28 month spirit is also the far more prominent note. Came second out of the six drams, with 24% of the final vote for favourite of the night. 76% of those present said they enjoyed the whisky.