Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series 2018 Chinkapin Oak

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series 2018 Chinkapin Oak, 3 YO, 61.1 %

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 Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series 2018 Chinkapin Oak was released exclusively for Sweden.

Distilled 2018, bottled 2021, and matured in a single (cask #18/28) virgin Chinkapin oak cask. The total outturn was 280 bottles. This is a heavily peated whisky (48 ppm).

Chinkapin oak is also known as Quercus muehlenbergii. The Swedish distillery Spirit of Hven uses Quercus muehlenbergii to some extent. In fact, when I searched the great interweb in preparation for this review, I found that the team at Isle of Raasay indeed had had contact with the wizard Henric Molin at Spirit of Hven on the topic of Quercus muehlenbergii (source).

Nose: Rich wood smoke, vanilla and honey sweetness. Rather potent, but no alcohol bite here.

Taste: Rich and full bodied. Pepper and chocolate smoke. Creamy honey with a spiced with ginger and cinnamon.

Finish: Medium long finish. The rich honey sweetness remains till the very end. Hints of assorted spices and herbs. Very appealing landing.

Comment: This is really, really good.

Score 87/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas