Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Hebridean Single Malt | 50.2% ABV | 100.4 Proof | 700mL | Isle of Raasay, Scotland | Chinkapin Oak Matured | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Process & Profile

Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin puts an unusual North American oak species at the centre of its lightly peated island style. Made with 100% Scottish barley, it combines peated and unpeated spirit matured separately in fresh and refill Chinkapin oak casks. These components are then married together to balance smoky, savory flavors with maple sweetness and bright citrus.

Known botanically as Quercus muehlenbergii, Chinkapin oak is less commonly used for whisky than standard American white oak. Raasay’s custom barrels use timber air-dried for 36 months before receiving a high toast and heavy char. The resulting profile brings together barbecue smoke, pancakes and maple syrup, fresh lime and cinnamon.

Part of Raasay’s ongoing core range, The Chinkapin is bottled at 50.2% ABV without chill filtration or added color. It offers a distinctive combination of sweet and savoury notes while retaining the distillery’s gentle smoky character.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Wood smoke, maple sweetness and savoury barbecue aromas.

• Palate: Pancakes and maple syrup meet smoky bacon notes, fresh lime and cinnamon.

• Finish: Savoury spice and wood smoke, balanced by sweetness and citrus.

What Makes It Special

• Full Chinkapin oak maturation: Uses fresh and refill casks made from Quercus muehlenbergii.

• Custom barrel preparation: Timber is air-dried for 36 months, then highly toasted and heavily charred.

• Peated and unpeated spirit: Separately matured components create Raasay’s lightly peated style.

• Distinctive flavour balance: Barbecue and maple syrup meet lime and cinnamon.

• 100% Scottish barley: Distilled, matured and bottled on the Isle of Raasay.

• Ongoing core expression: A permanent addition alongside The Draam and Dùn Cana.

How to Enjoy

Start neat in a tulip-shaped glass to explore the contrast between maple sweetness, savoury smoke and lime. Add water a few drops at a time to find your preferred balance at 50.2% ABV.

For a food pairing, consider smoked cheese, grilled mushrooms or lightly glazed barbecue to complement its sweet and savoury character.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Chinkapin oak in Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin?
Chinkapin oak, or Quercus muehlenbergii, is a North American white oak species. Raasay uses highly toasted, heavily charred barrels made from this wood to develop the whisky’s distinctive barbecue, maple and spice character.

2. Is Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin peated?
Yes, it is lightly peated. Peated and unpeated spirit are fermented, distilled and matured separately before being married together.

3. What does Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin taste like?
Expect barbecue smoke, smoky bacon, pancakes and maple syrup, balanced by fresh lime and cinnamon. Its profile combines sweetness, savory spice and gentle wood smoke.

4. How does The Chinkapin differ from Dùn Cana?
The Chinkapin matures entirely in fresh and refill Chinkapin oak casks. Dùn Cana first matures in American rye whiskey casks before a second maturation in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry quarter casks, giving it a stronger dried-fruit and sherry influence.

5. Where can I buy Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
You can purchase Isle of Raasay The Chinkapin Single Malt Scotch Whisky directly from The Barrel Tap.