It’s here! The final bottle of 2025!
We’re thrilled to announce the unique Isle of Raasay Limited Release Marsala Cask to our members.
Raasay Marsala Cask Limited Release
In December 2025, members of the 5Vines Whisky Guild received one of the most distinctive releases yet from the Isle of Raasay Distillery
Tasting Notes
Sultana raisins, malt, and earthy soil notes lead the way, followed by sweet toffee and a subtle veil of peat smoke. A complex and evolving aroma
Rich and textured, balancing dried fruit sweetness with malt depth and savoury undertones, shaped by the distinctive Marsala Vergine cask influence.
Long and expressive, ending with a superbly integrated thread of smoke. As it fades, a pleasant peppery heat lingers, leaving a lasting impression.
About the Isle of Raasay Distillery
Founded in 2017 on the rugged Hebridean Isle of Raasay, home to just 160 residents, the Isle of Raasay Distillery has quickly earned a reputation for innovation and quality. Their production philosophy is built on a 50/50 split of peated and unpeated spirit, creating a diverse range of blending components from the very start.
While the distillery aims for hyper-local sourcing, their barley occasionally comes from the exceptional growing regions of Campbeltown and Orkney, ensuring consistency without compromising character. Having previously featured a Raasay Bourbon Single Cask for our Whisky Guild in April 2024, this Marsala Cask release further reinforces the distillery’s impressive trajectory.
A Milestone Release: Full Marsala Cask Maturation
This bottling represents a major first for Raasay: the inaugural use of ex-Marsala casks in their maturation program. Unlike many whiskies that undergo a short Marsala finish, this expression was fully matured for over four years in rare Frazzitta Marsala Vergine casks.
Sourced from the historic Frazzitta winery in Sicily, these casks are exceptionally rare in the whisky world. As a Vergine classification, the highest tier within Marsala DOC, the casks previously held fortified wine aged for decades with no added sugar or must, resulting in remarkable purity, structure, and authenticity.
The outcome is a whisky with a dry, savoury complexity, standing in stark contrast to sweeter, mass-market Marsala-influenced styles.
Click here if you want to download the whisky notes
Why Whisky Enthusiasts Should Pay Attention
This Raasay Marsala Cask Limited Release is not just rare, it’s structurally unique. Full-term maturation in Vergine Marsala casks is almost unheard of, making this a standout bottle for collectors and adventurous whisky drinkers alike. Its balance of peat, savoury wine influence, and island character delivers a profile that feels both bold and refined.
Join the 5Vines Whisky Guild
Want first access to rare and experimental whiskies like this Raasay Marsala Cask? The 5Vines Whisky Guild delivers a carefully curated bottle every two months, often featuring releases unavailable anywhere else.
As a member, you also enjoy 10% off on every whisky in-store, along with exclusive pricing, insider tasting notes, and early access to future releases.