The Raasay Lassies release is back for its third year, coinciding with International Women’s Day and to celebrate the outstanding women in our team. Another amazing chapter to add to our history, The Raasay Lassies is creating an infinite timeline of the strong women behind our whisky. This release is particularly for our team and close fans. Anyone who has ever visited the distillery will know the face behind the 2026 release – Chloe Leeman, our Island Experience Manager.
Not originally from Raasay, Chloe grew up in Plymouth and decided to take the plunge (and the very long bus journey!) to Raasay back in 2015 for some seasonal work at Raasay House. She very quickly settled into island life and returned the next summer for another season before making it her permanent home.
Chloe has been the driving force behind our award winning distillery experience , since we first opened the doors to guests back in 2017. She is the master of checking off a to-do list, ensuring everything runs smoothly for our guests and every year brings impeccable standards of Hebridean hospitality. With an encyclopedic knowledge of the island and a passion for Scotch whisky, Chloe ensures that whether you are staying in our luxury rooms or just stopping by for a dram, you feel like a local from the moment you arrive.
For this year’s exclusive release, Chloe has selected a trio of casks. and dedicated this bottling to someone very special to her.
We caught up with Chloe to tell us a little more about her story on Raasay and the whisky she has chosen…
The distillery was still being built at the time so I spent a few years working the summer seasons at Raasay House, saving money and going travelling over winter. I did this for around four years and then started looking for something more secure with year round employment and an opportunity came up at the distillery as an administrator. The business went from strength to strength, launching a gin, setting up an online shop, releasing our first whisky, a visitors centre expansion and restaurant, the list goes on! This led me to becoming a bit of an all rounder for a few years working across both operations and fulfilment before settling into the customer experience.
I’m lucky to have a great team who really go out of their way to deliver a great experience. If you read our reviews I think you can really sense that Raasay is a special place and anyone who works here really feels that. The most important part of my job is doing what I can to support them so we can continue to keep growing as the years go on.
I really love the Ardhuish in spring time. It’s the coastal path from the ferry pier over to North Bay. It has such a lovely view looking across to Ben Tianavaig and to the north of Skye and come May time is covered in bluebells and primrose blooming.
What’s the meaning behind your label design?
In the spirit of International Women’s Day I wanted to honor my late granny, whose favourite flower was a poppy. She passed away on International Women’s Day a few years back so this is a nice way to ‘cheers’ to her.
Unpeated Raasay spirit, has been matured first in an ex American rye cask, then finished in a 60L ex Madeira wine octave. Bottled at natural cask strength, this release delivers a beautifully balanced experience. On the nose, expect a burst of orange, with hints of clove and apple. The palate is mellow yet rich, where lot’s of vanilla, toffee and burnt fudge linger with a sultana sweetness. The finish is light, silky and with a complimentary heat that leaves you wanting more.
Chloe selected an octave which has approximately 75 bottles yield, therefore three casks have been chosen for this years release and will be bottled over the course of the year.
The first one is Cask no: 2024/1033 which was bottled at natural cask strength of 58.2%ABV
Every drop of Isle of Raasay spirit is distilled, matured and bottled on the Isle of Raasay. This particular expression also includes a bespoke label, designed and printed on Raasay. Depicting a beautiful illustration of a Poppy, in celebration of Chloe’s gran.
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