Raasay

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I bought this down in the borders, in Duns after a rather nice afternoon at the wonderful Jim Clark museum, from Forte's Off License. It was a hot day in July 21and we were enjoying a wee break, still with masks in Scotland, but not in England if I recall correctly. 

Forte's had quite a selection, but Raasay was new in and he had only two bottles. My bottle is from R-01, issued in May 21, and according to the distillery bottled in June, so pretty fresh! 

Raasay is the island between Skye and the mainland, sheltered by its bigger sibling. I first really heard of the island when I read Calum's Road, but I later found a cousin of mine lived there too. 

The whisky is light and quite drinkable. A slight peat smoke odour and a sharp fresh first taste. Lemony sharp vingeryness fading then berries and fruitcake and a touch of puff candy or cinder candy. 

Looking at the distilleries own notes the whisky spends time in rye bourbon casks...a drink I love, and which brings the sharp initial taste and is finished off in red wine barrels, my preference over white any day. 



This one will remind me of a hot summer and trips to Berwick, Newcastle, Kelso, Melrose, Selkirk and scooting about enjoying the heat, too hot for the hot tub at the cottage we were staying. 

Very nice.


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