Review: Isle of Raasay Oak Series Tasting Pack

Today, there was something rather clever from Isle of Raasay that caught my attention – their Oak Species Maturation Series Tasting Pack. At £35, it’s a brilliant way to understand how different oak varieties can completely transform a whisky’s character.

What you get are four 5cl drams, all bottled at a robust 50.7% ABV, each matured in virgin oak from different species. It’s essentially a masterclass in wood influence, and the differences are genuinely striking.

The Colombian Oak (Quercus humboldtii) is a dessert lover’s dream – think herbaceous wood smoke and caramel on the nose, then crystallised brown sugar and crème brûlée on the palate, finishing with mint and green tea notes.

The Hungarian Oak (Quercus petraea) takes you in a completely different direction – more refined, with savoury spice and peat smoke, cloves and wood smoke coming through, rounded off with gentle sweetness.

French Oak (Quercus robur) delivers what you’d expect from a classic maturation – rich, ripe fruit and dried raspberries, subtle smoke and leather, with that lingering spice we all love.

But the real showstopper is the Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) – bold as brass with wood smoke and dark fruits, smoky bacon and maple syrup flavours, and a properly long, spiced finish.

What’s particularly smart is that Raasay’s thrown in a QR code linking to an exclusive tasting session with Master Distiller Alasdair Day. As Head of Marketing Allison puts it, it’s about “enjoying the journey and making whisky accessible” – and honestly, this does exactly that. It’s their first 5cl tasting pack, and it’s a cracking way to explore how oak species can fundamentally shape a dram’s personality.