Isle of Raasay distillery

Introduction to Isle of Raasay Distillery

A distillery with passion for craft

Isle of Raasay Distillery is a Scottish whisky producer that has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting new names in Hebridean whisky-making. Perched on the picturesque Isle of Raasay, between the mainland and the Isle of Skye, this distillery offers a perfect harmony between traditional distilling methods and contemporary innovation. The stunning location provides not only breathtaking views across to the Cuillin mountains of Skye but also imparts unique characteristics to their spirits.

Why we have a soft spot for Isle of Raasay

At Vault of Spirits, we cherish distilleries that forge their own path, and Isle of Raasay does exactly that. What makes this distillery special is their field-to-bottle approach, utilizing local water sources and a fascinating dual mash bill production method that allows them to create both peated and unpeated spirit in the same week. Their commitment to creating a genuinely Scottish island single malt with a unique terroir-driven character makes each bottle an adventure worth experiencing.

The Story Behind Isle of Raasay Distillery

Origin and development

Isle of Raasay Distillery was founded in 2017, becoming the first legal distillery on this small Hebridean island with a population of just around 160 people. The project began when co-founders Alasdair Day and Bill Dobbie recognized the potential for creating a distinctive island whisky in this remote location. They converted the historic Borodale House, a Victorian-era building, into a state-of-the-art distillery while preserving its architectural character.

What started as a bold venture has quickly blossomed into an award-winning distillery that released its inaugural single malt in 2020, marking a new chapter in Scottish whisky production.

The people behind

The distillery is led by co-founder Alasdair Day, who brings a family heritage in blending that dates back to his great-grandfather Richard Day. The team includes master distiller Iain Robertson, whose expertise guides the production process, alongside a dedicated crew of local islanders who contribute to every aspect of operations. Their collective passion for innovation while honoring tradition is evident in every bottle produced.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Production at Isle of Raasay begins with Scottish barley, both unpeated and heavily peated varieties. Their unique approach involves alternating between peated and unpeated mashes each week, creating two distinct spirit styles that can later be combined in various proportions. The distillery uses long fermentation times of up to 115 hours in their wooden washbacks, developing complex fruity flavors.

Distillation takes place in their elegant copper pot stills with a distinctive slender neck design that promotes reflux and creates a light, fruity spirit with remarkable character.

Maturation and aging

Isle of Raasay’s innovative maturation program uses a diverse range of casks, including first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, fresh Chinkapin oak casks, and first-fill ex-wine casks (primarily from Bordeaux). This variety of wood types allows for complex flavor development as the spirit ages in the island’s warehouse, exposed to the unique maritime climate that influences maturation.

The warehouse location, with its exposure to sea breezes and variable island weather, imparts distinctive characteristics to the aging spirit that couldn’t be replicated elsewhere.

Selected Products from Isle of Raasay Distillery

Isle of Raasay Single Malt – The signature expression

The flagship single malt beautifully showcases the distillery’s character with its marriage of peated and unpeated spirit matured in six different cask types. Expect a delightful balance of smoke, fruit, and spice with notes of dark chocolate, red berries, and coastal minerality. The gentle peat influence makes it approachable while maintaining complexity—perfect for those seeking to discover the distillery’s core style.

Raasay While We Wait – A glimpse of things to come

Initially released while the distillery’s own whisky was maturing, this expression provided a preview of the Isle of Raasay style. Crafted from highland whisky finished in Tuscan wine casks, it offers rich fruit notes alongside gentle smoke. Although the distillery now produces its own single malt, these early releases remain collectors’ items that tell the story of the distillery’s ambitious beginnings.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Isle of Raasay Distillery offers an immersive visitor experience with tours that take you through the entire production process. The distillery also features luxury accommodation in Borodale House, allowing whisky enthusiasts to stay overnight at the distillery itself—a rare opportunity in the whisky world. Tours typically include tastings of their core expressions, giving visitors insight into the distinctive Raasay style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isle of Raasay Distillery?

Isle of Raasay Distillery is a Scottish whisky distillery established in 2017 on the Hebridean Isle of Raasay. It produces single malt Scotch whisky with a focus on terroir, traditional production methods, and innovative cask management. Their approach blends heritage and innovation to create distinctive island malts with a sense of place.

Where is Isle of Raasay Distillery located?

The distillery is located on the Isle of Raasay, a small island between the Scottish mainland and the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides. This remote location, with its unique geology, water sources, and climate, plays a significant role in shaping the character of their whisky.

What characterizes Isle of Raasay whisky?

Isle of Raasay whisky is characterized by its balanced approach to peat, fruit-forward profile, and distinctive mineral quality derived from the island’s volcanic geology. The combination of peated and unpeated spirit matured in a diverse range of casks creates a complex yet approachable whisky with notes of dark fruits, sweet spice, and a gentle smoke influence.

Where can I buy whisky from Isle of Raasay Distillery?

You can find selected bottles from Isle of Raasay Distillery at Vault of Spirits. We carefully select the best expressions from this exciting distillery, including both their core range and limited editions, ensuring you have access to these distinctive island malts.