Cask Strength earns nearly full marks at Las Vegas event
HEBRIDEAN whisky brand Isle of Raasay has been awarded the World’s Best Scotch Whisky gong at the Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards (LVGSA) for its Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
The dram earned a Platinum Medal during the competition, securing an impressive 99/100 score, one of the highest marks in the Global Spirits Awards’ history.
Eddie Rivkin, chief executive and founder of the LVGSA, said: “Each winner tells a story of place patience and passion – capturing the soul of Scotland in every sip. These extraordinary expressions remind us why Scotch remains one of the most revered spirits in the world.”
Isle of Raasay’s own story begins back in 2017, when the first legal distillery was founded on the Hebridean isle. Since then, the distillery has built up a cult following with its range amongst whisky lovers and has become known for its lightly peated house style.
The Cask Strength expression showcases the distinct Raasay flavour profile, the distillery says, with a nose of candied fruit, wood smoke, apricots and glacé cherries, followed by tastes of rich, oily layers of sweet spice, cinnamon, black pepper, heather, honey and black cherry.
The finish provides a long and complex weaving of faint wood smoke and dried fruit, with a hint of salinity.
The Isle of Raasay Single Malt Cask Strength is an annual release from the distillery and comes at £65 RRP in a 700ml bottle. The third edition of the Cask Strength expression rolled out in early 2025.
Alasdair Day, master distiller and co-founder at Isle of Raasay, said: “This whisky represents the Isle of Raasay at its purest, vatted straight from the cask to capture the full complexity and depth of our 6-cask maturation process, so we’re thrilled that it has been recognised on the world stage in Las Vegas.
“We chose to submit Cask Strength because it is our signature single malt, The Draam ‘dialled up to eleven’. Offering a higher ABV version of The Draam allows whisky enthusiasts and those new to the category to see the impact of alcohol on flavour.
“To have Cask Strength awarded among such global competition is a huge honour for our island distillery and the dedicated team behind it.”
