Isle of Raasay Distillery

Located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, Rassay Distillery makes small batch whisky. For whisky enthusiasts, Rassay Distillery offers a unique experience and its remoteness, requiring a ferry trip from The Isle of Skye, is part of its allure.

Iain and Louise MacViban founded the distillery in 2017 with the aim of creating a whisky that reflects the unique characteristics of the island. Sustainable practices are at the heart of the distillery, which uses solar power to generate electricity and sources barley from a local farm.

Rassay Distillery uses traditional methods to create whisky, and all of its whisky is made with 100% island-grown barley. The barley is malted at the distillery and then fermented in stainless steel washbacks. Two copper pot stills are then used to distill the wash.

A combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks is then used to mature the spirit. Rassay’s first whisky, simply called Rassay, was released in 2021. Vanilla, honey, and citrus fruit notes are described as characteristics of this whisky without an age statement.

A number of limited-edition whiskies are produced by Rassay Distillery in addition to its core whisky. The distillery, for example, has released whiskies matured in casks previously holding port wine and rum.

Besides tours and tastings, the distillery has a bar where visitors can enjoy cocktails made with Rassay whisky.

Rassay Distillery has won numerous awards for its whisky. A gold medal was awarded to Rassay whisky at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2022.