Proud to produce some of the finest whisky found in the Scottish Lowlands, Jackton distillery is home to the delicious range of RAER spirits including whisky, gin and vodka. Through their short years of distillation and experimentation, they have crafted exquisite premium spirits that linger on the tongue and give seasoned whisky drinkers and newcomers alike an exceptional experience.
At Crafty Connoisseur, we are proud to support fine Scottish distilleries, which is why we are so excited to present RAER to you. As we take you through what makes RAER so special and their humble origins, pour yourself a drink and consider one of their bottles as the newest addition to your spirit shelves.
Behind the Name RAER
“RAER [rare] adjective;
Exceptional, unparalleled, unique, special, precious.”
Originating in East Kilbride, Glasgow, RAER started their journey in early 2020. They had one goal in mind – to produce the best single-malt whisky on the market and remind the world that Scottish whisky stands above all others. They had huge ambitions, and from their first cask to their current ones, they have been a story that highlights success in the industry.
Every spirit is made using Scottish barley that has been grown locally on the outskirts of Glasgow. Each drink is created at the Jackton distillery on-site, and in recent years they have made the step to start growing their own barley for their spirits. From the distillation of their first malt whisky until now, the pride of their process has been to allow each batch to mature.
From the blended Scotch whisky Oloroso expression to their famous gin, every grain found within these spirits reflects the rarity of the drink. That’s where the name finds its roots – in how rarely we come across such care and quality in our spirits. Their small team aren’t just experts in the field; they bring passion and dedication to every batch in the form of a wonderful family business.
How RAER’s Cask Whisky is Made
Crafting RAER whisky is truly an art form, combining both tradition and innovation. The foundation of RAER’s exceptional character starts with the distillery’s own cask whiskies. Distilled with precision and commitment, these whiskies are laid down in a variety of top-quality casks, sourced from different parts of the world, waiting for their perfect moment to shine.
These in-house whiskies, as they mature, soak up the intricate flavours from these casks, ensuring each sip carries the legacy and spirit of RAER. While these cask whiskies are a testament to RAER’s dedication to the craft, many of them are still maturing, and have yet to make their debut in any blend. The distillery takes its time, releasing these special batches only when they believe the moment is just right. RAER provides a unique opportunity for enthusiasts by allowing them to purchase and own individual casks, making the RAER experience even more personal.
While RAER’s in-house whiskies patiently mature, biding their time to reach the pinnacle of flavour and character, the distillery isn’t leaving aficionados waiting. In the interim, RAER offers its exquisite blended whiskies. These blends, sourced from undisclosed origins, are a testament to the distillery’s adept selection and blending skills. Even without knowing their precise origins, these whiskies astound both the novice and the connoisseur. The mysterious nature of their origin, far from being a drawback, adds an alluring layer of mystique. It’s a delightful reminder that sometimes, it’s the journey and the surprise, not just the destination, that makes the whisky experience so rich and rewarding.
Within the RAER collection lies a trio of exceptional whiskies, each embodying its unique charm. The Original RAER Blended Scotch Whisky, revered for its award-winning stature, delivers unparalleled satisfaction with its fine balance of seasonal malts and grains. Delving deeper into the exquisite world of sherry-infused spirits, RAER presents the Oloroso Expression, a captivating blend nurtured in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks, striking a harmonious balance between sweetness and a drier, champagne-like finish. And for those seeking a tantalising fusion of tradition and innovation, the Pedro Ximénez Blended Expression unfolds a symphony of flavours, matured in the renowned Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Jerez, offering a mouth-watering sherry finish that lingers on the palate.
Tips for Mixing with RAER Scotch Whisky
We love a good cocktail as much as the next person, and RAER whisky can be the perfect ingredient to bring your favourite drinks to life. Whether you’re spending a well-earned evening alone and relaxing or you’re hosting a celebration with friends, here are a few of the best ways to enjoy RAER mixed.
Honey and Orange Blossom
50ml RAER Whisky | 25ml Lemon juice | 12.5ml Honey | 2 Teaspoons orange marmalade | Soda
Add all ingredients (apart from soda) to the cocktail shaker. Shake hard with cubed ice. Fine strain over cubed ice. Top with soda and garnish with an orange twist.
Passion & Spice
50ml RAER Whisky Oloroso Expression | 10ml Pimento dram | 20ml Lemon juice | 20ml Sugar syrup | 20ml Passionfruit puree | Teaspoon freshly grated ginger | ½ Passionfruit soda
Add all ingredients (apart from soda) to the cocktail shaker. Shake hard with cubed ice. Fine strain shaker contents over ice. Top with soda, garnish with passionfruit and pineapple leaf.
The Cranachan
50ml RAER Whisky | 25ml Lemon juice | 12.5ml Sugar syrup | 4 Raspberries | 30ml Egg Whites (two tablespoons)
Add all ingredients to the cocktail shaker. Shake hard with cubed ice. Remove the ice and re-shake. Fine strain into a coupe and garnish with shortbread and raspberries.
Other Ways to Enjoy RAER
Spirits don’t have to be part of a cocktail to be enjoyed, and RAER Whisky is no exception to this rule. We have to say that one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the delights of this rich and flavourful scotch is to just take a dram neat and enjoy the taste.
The Future of RAER
Their great customer service alone is a sign that this is a distillery that has a bright future ahead of them, alongside the success of their spirit range. Considering they only started operating in 2020, it’s incredible to see how far they’ve come and the delicious range of spirits they already have on offer. Even working tirelessly through the pandemic, they have made a rapid rise to fame within the world of spirits.
Awards and Accolades
Despite being fairly new to the world of spirits, this Scottish brand has achieved high acclaim and success through a number of awards. They were awarded winners of the Great Taste Awards 2022 for RAER Jackton Gin, RAER Blended Scotch Whisky, and Oloroso Expression.
They were granted a silver medal for the World Spirits Competition 2021 for RAER Jackton Gin and RAER Blended Scotch Whisky. Finally, they also attained the silver award for the London Spirits Competition 2022 for RAER Jackton Gin and RAER Blended Scotch Whisky.
Final Thoughts
RAER have blessed the local community with some of the best and most delicious whisky we have ever encountered. If our word isn’t enough, according to reviews, RAER offers an exceptional flavour profile that is simply unforgettable. Having sampled a tipple (or four) ourselves, we couldn’t agree more.
We’re proud to stock the RAER Scotch whisky range, blended spirits that brings everything you know and love about whisky to life. If you’re looking to add a premium spirit to your shelf, this is exactly what you need. Worried you might not enjoy it as much as we have? We also stock 30ml sample bottles so that you can try it out before you commit to a full-size one.
