08.04.2025
Rysa: New Peated Blended Malt from Orkney Distillery

Rysa: New Peated Blended Malt from Orkney Distillery
A smoky counterpoint to last year’s Fara release
The Orkney Distillery, known for its craft spirits and striking waterfront location in Kirkwall, has unveiled Rysa, its second Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. Following the debut of the unpeated Fara last year, Rysa brings a bold, peated twist to the distillery’s expanding whisky portfolio. Named after the nearby island, this new release incorporates whiskies from across Scotland—including the Orkney Islands themselves—and is designed to showcase depth, complexity, and the art of blending.
A design that honours Orkney heritage
While specific packaging details have not been disclosed, The Orkney Distillery is known for its clean, contemporary aesthetic rooted in Orcadian craftsmanship. It’s expected that Rysa follows this tradition—minimalist yet elegant, echoing the natural ruggedness and rich history of the islands.
Peated layers with a refined twist
Rysa stands out with its peat-forward flavor, a deliberate contrast to Fara’s delicate profile. It delivers aromas of raisins and burnt leather, evolving on the palate into smoky peat, Crème brûlée, and peppery spice—a blend that bridges both the mainland and island whisky styles.
The blender’s vision
Stephen Kemp, Managing Director of The Orkney Distillery, shared his vision behind Rysa:
“We’re delighted to be releasing our latest blended malt, Rysa, to build on the success of last year’s Fara launch. Rysa has been carefully crafted for those who appreciate depth, character, and the artistry of fine blending... it offers a real contrast to Fara in terms of its peated, smoky flavour.”
Tasting notes of Rysa
- Nose: Raisins, burnt leather
- Palate: Peaty smoke, Crème brûlée, cracked pepper
With Rysa, The Orkney Distillery not only expands its range but also establishes its place in the world of peated whiskies. This limited edition blended malt is crafted for enthusiasts seeking a smoky profile with finesse—making it a standout addition to any whisky lover’s shelf.
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Spiritory is a team of dedicated Whisky, Rum and Spirits Enthusiast. Our passion for the product, craftmanship and art of producing the finest spirits in the world will be represented in every article we write on our blog-page. Our goal is to produce content which is interesting to read and for a broad base of consumers, enthusiasts, investors and collectors.