They requested, and we waited. And now there seems to be numerous whisky for us to take a look at from the Isle of Raasay Distillery. However earlier than we get to all that, there’s a transparent spirit — a gin, unsurprisingly — that the oldsters at Raasay have submitted for our consideration. This Scottish island gin is created from a base of Raasay’s double distilled malt spirit, however it’s reportedly lighter than the brand new make used for his or her single malt line. The gin invoice makes use of Raasay juniper, chosen with the assistance of a neighborhood botanist, together with a brief checklist of different botanicals together with lemon and orange peel, rhubarb, licorice, and angelica (the extra delicate of which have been vapor infused). Ideas comply with.
The aroma is brilliant and clear with an preliminary punch of sappy, resinous juniper and sharp citrus notes. All the pieces evens out fairly shortly, nevertheless, right into a softer mixture of orange oil, candied lemon peel, pine needles, and black licorice with faint traces of pepper and currants. It’s an inviting and enchanting aroma that solely continues to bloom within the glass. The palate is dry and delicate with notes of recent reduce pine, orange peel, and reduce grass. It’s an especially light-bodied gin, nearly effervescent, with a clear, ethereal end of lemon peel and powdered sugar. Whereas elegant and approachable, it leaves me wanting only a bit extra complexity. Perfect as a sipping gin and worthwhile in a martini, however it might probably get a bit misplaced within the improper tonic or adventurous cocktail.
92 proof.
B+ / $50 / raasaydistillery.com [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
Isle of Raasay Hebridean Gin
$50
