Discover how oak can change expressions
HEBRIDEAN distillers Isle of Raasay is out to introduce consumers to a world of oak exploration with its new Oak Species Maturation Series Tasting Pack.
Available from 4 April via the Isle of Raasay website and select retailers, the new pack contains four 50ml bottles of the Isle of Raasay whisky range and each expression highlights how different kinds of oak casks can influence the final dram.
The final pack comes with an RRP of £35 and showcases four virgin oak species – meaning the casks never had any prior contents and the whiskies have been fully matured in that oak species – including Colombian Oak, Hungarian Oak, French oak and North American Oak.
The Colombian features a more smokey smell with flavours of crystallised brown sugar and crème brûlée with a finish of mint and green tea. Meanwhile, the Hungarian Oak delivers a rich, spiced dram with wood smoke and savoury spices on the palate and a sweetness on the finish.
The French Oak offers a sharp contrast, with rich fruit on the nose and ripe fruit, dried raspberries and leather to taste. And finally, the North American Oak presents a more intense flavour, says Isle of Raasay, with aromas of wood smoke and dark fruits leading into tastes of smoky bacon and maple syrup before finishing with notes of ginger, cinnamon and deep fruitiness.
Each 50ml sample is bottled at 50.7% ABV as well and uses Isle of Raasay’s signature lightly peated spirit as its base to further display the influence oak species can have on the final product.
Alasdair Day, co-founder and master distiller at Isle of Raasay, said: “I am fascinated by the influence of oak species on our whisky’s character and the diversity of flavour that this can bring to our Raasay spirit.
“We’ve always believed that whisky is a journey to be enjoyed, and our Oak Species Maturation Series is about diving deeper into the elements that shape its flavour.
“Each oak species has its own story to tell, and this pack allows whisky lovers to explore the nuances first-hand.”
