Isle of Raasay Dun Cana Sherry Quarter Cask Second Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Isle of Raasay's second annual Dun Cana release departs from their signature malt, exploring different cask types. For the second edition, peated and unpeated spirit is matured separately in ex-American rye casks, which previously held Woodford Reserve, before a secondary six-month maturation in Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry quarter casks. The distillery says the use of the smaller 125-litre casks “accelerates the maturation process” to deepen the resulting flavours of pepper spice, sultanas, vanilla toffee and salty chocolate. The whisky is named for Dùn Cana, the highest point on Raasay, as a tribute to the landscape of the distillery’s home. 52% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... Nose: Initially vanilla, followed by a few nutty aromas, including almonds, hazelnut praline, and pecan pie. Spice, ginger, and cardamom. Palate: Complex, like the nose. A few more fruit-forward notes here, like plums, berries, and peach. Almonds. Bakewell tart. Gingerbread. Finish: Long, as expected, given it is more than 50% ABV. A lingering fruitiness, which works well. Comment: Commendable in its complexity, especially with the way it merges a spicy nuttiness with a softer fruit combination. This has been crafted with skill. - whiskymag.com