Refreshed Isle of Raasay packaging debuts on rare release
Isle of Raasay Distillery has unveiled its first Marsala cask aged single malt Scotch whisky, which is presented in new look packaging that is said to add distinctiveness and clear identity to the brand’s growing portfolio.
Raasay’s Marsala Cask Single Malt whisky has been matured exclusively in rare Marsala Vergine casks that were sourced from Sicily.
Bottled at 50.7% ABV and limited to 12,300 bottles worldwide, the whisky is described as a meeting of two coastal terroirs: Sicily and Raasay.
However, what sets this release apart, the brand said, is not just the cask type, but the provenance and pedigree of the wood itself.
The casks used are Marsala Vergine DOC barrels from Frazzitta, one of Sicily’s oldest Marsala producers, known for ageing its wines for decades in traditional oxidative environments.
Marsala Vergine wines are known for their nutty, dry, and deeply oxidative profile, much like a dry Sherry, and as such, master distiller Alasdair Day shared that the whisky boasts “layers of dried fruit, toasted nuts, and an oxidative depth.”
“Marsala Vergine casks, particularly from a historic producer like Frazzitta, are rare in the whisky industry, and the cask characteristics have brought an exceptional depth of flavour to our Raasay spirit,” said Day. “The casks we’ve used to mature our whisky have been seasoned with the bone dry Marsala wine for up to 30 years.
“The result is a whisky that is rich and complex, with baked apples and maple syrup on the palate, balanced with dried pear, apricots, and a balsamic sweetness that all lingers into a long smoky finish with echoes of roasted coffee. It’s one of the most distinctive cask maturations we’ve ever released, elegant and assertive all at once.”
‘A clearer identity’
The Marsala Cask Limited Release also features a new addition to the distillery’s packaging portfolio.
The colour scheme is inspired by the island’s geology where the cool slate grey tones are reflective of the rugged volcanic landscape of Raasay, as well as the indentations of fossils which can be found on the bottle itself.
“This new look is about giving our range a clearer identity,” said William Dobbie, managing director of the distillery. “We’ve rapidly grown in the last few years and have released many truly exceptional whiskies. This new packaging will help differentiate our limited releases from our core range while still telling the story of where we come from and what makes our whisky so unique.”
The Marsala Cask Limited Release is available at independent retailers across the UK and to buy on the brand’s website from today (7 August) with shipments heading to key global markets including the UK, Germany, France and the US.
Each bottle retails at £75 (US$100).
Last week, the distillery announced it is expanding its accommodation offering this autumn, allowing for more visitors to the island.
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