Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series 2017 1st Fill Ex-Rye

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series 2017 1st Fill Ex-Rye, 3 YO, 61.5 %

The Na Sia Single Cask Series showcases the distinctive styles and characters of the six Isle of Raasay single malt recipe casks. Peated and unpeated whisky matured in either virgin Chinkapin oak casks, 1st fill ex-rye casks, or 1st fill ex-Bordeaux red wine casks.

This is a heavily peated whisky, at 48 ppm phenols. It was distilled 2017-11-14, and bottled 2021-08-06. Matured in a single cask (cask #17/96), 1st fill ex-rye Woodford Reserve. All in all 228 bottles.

They have published a very detailed product page.

Nose: Rich, oaky and malty. Peppery wood smoke. Some alcohol bite. With time juicy, fresh orchard fruits. Ginger, more pepper, a hint of cut grass and mustard seeds

Taste: Full bodied. Pepper and soot. Creamy vanilla and fudge. Ripe apples. Still a little rough, but in a charming way.

Finish: Medium long finish. The pepper is more intense now, morphing into notes of assorted chilies. Creamy vanilla still, as well as notes of ginger. The peat now comes across more like dark chocolate and toasted oak.

Comment: Very charming if a little rough around the edges.

Score 86/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas