The Chinkapin has landed, our third core Isle of Raasay Single Malt Whisky, 50.2% ABV, natural colour, non-chill filtered. Peated and unpeated spirit crafted with 100% Scottish barley are matured, separately, in fresh and refill Chinkapin Oak casks, and married together to create our signature lightly peated style of whisky.
Chinkapin Oak is an oak species from North America, not vastly used in the whisky industry. We like to think of it as our Raasay superpower. These casks have a high toast and heavy char and bring a delicious barbecue flavour to our lighly peated whisky.
This single malt whisky fully matured in Chinkapin oak casks, is an industry first! (As far as we know)
What is The Chinkapin whisky from Raasay?
It is a brand-new release that will be part of our ongoing core range with The Draam and Dùn Cana. Chinkapin is our Raasay superpower, it is the “glue” that holds The Draam together and has been part of our Isle of Raasay single malt Scotch Whisky from the beginning.
Why is it called The Chinkapin?
The word Chinkapin comes from the native American (Virginia Algonquian language, specifically the Powhatan dialect spoken by the indigenous people of coastal Virginia). The original word is derived from chechinquamin (sometimes recorded as chechinkamin) it refers to the nut of the dwarf chestnut tree (Castanea pumila). Which is why we always say Chinkapin Oak or Quercus muehlenbergii.
What makes The Chinkapin different from other Raasay whiskies?
Chinkapin oak brings a real richness and depth to our whisky. We use a combination of fresh and refill casks which elevates the flavours of barbecue , smokey bacon, pancakes and maple syrup meets fresh lime and cinnamon. Plus you can identify it clearly with the new packaging too.
What is Chinkapin oak and why use it for whisky?
Chinkapin oak is a North American white oak that brings rich flavours and a depth to our Raasay whisky that the much more common industry standard Quercus alba doesn’t bring.
Some say virgin oak can be overwhelming on the character of the whisky distillate. How do you mitigate that and ensure a balance between the spirit and cask?
Quercus alba as an oak species can indeed over power new make spirit, if it is a lighter more elegant spirit. This is why we chose Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) as it compliments our spirit and adds depth and richness to our single malt without overpowering our spirit.
Is Chinkapin oak similar to American oak or European oak?
Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is very different from other oaks typically used for whisky maturation like Quercus alba (North America), Quercus petraea (Europe) and Quercus robur (Europe). It brings different flavours to our whisky early on in the maturation process that these other oaks don’t. You can actually experience these differences side by side with our Oak Maturation Series Tasting Pack.
How is The Chinkapin matured at Raasay Distillery?
These chinkapin oak casks are 190 litre American standard barrels. They are specifically made to our specification in the USA and then shipped to the Isle of Raasay. We specify that the timber is air dried for 36 months before the casks are made. We also specify a high toast and a high char. Making these Chinkapin oak barrels unique to our Isle of Raasay single malt.
Is The Chinkapin a peated or unpeated whisky?
At Isle of Raasay Distillery we use unpeated and peated malted barley that is fermented, distilled and matured separately. After maturation we combine these two different spirits and marry them together, to make our signature style of lightly peated single malt scotch whisky. That’s the Raasay way! Previously, we have released single casks of the chinkpain oak, either peated or unpeated. So it’s exciting to bring our lightly peated style to the table.
Why did Raasay choose to release The Chinkapin now?
Chinkapin oak has been part of our Raasay whisky story since day one. We think of it as one of our superpowers, and I selected it long before we even started making whisky. With our maturing stock, we now have the capacity to give it it’s own place in our core whisky line up. It offers something alternative to The Draam and Dùn Cana, but still you know instantly that it’s a Raasay so they compliment each other very well.
So The Chinkapin is here to stay?
Yes that’s right! The Chinkapin is a new release but will be permanently available, globally, as part of our core range along side The Draam and Dùn Cana.
See more of the Chinkapin on our YouTube channel.
