Isle of Harris 'The Hearach' Single Malt Whisky

We have long known Isle of Harris Distillery for their delicious Gin. But now, their stunning single malt whisky is here! The Hearach aromas evoke a curing smokehouse, joined by fragrant hillside heather and smoky dried prunes. A creamy sweetness, like that of creme brulee, joins crisp apple fruity tones, a hint of butterscotch, with a lingering sea-salt tang left on the lips. The subtle smoke returns in the finish, a beautiful whiff of a peaty fireplace slowly burning down.

• Distillery: Isle of Harris Distillery
• Type: Scotch Single Malt Whisky
  
• Region: Outer Hebrides, Scotland
  
• Alcohol: 46%
  
• Volume: 700ml
• Goes with: Neat or over ice

The Hearach is the first, historic Single Malt Whisky from the Isle of Harris Distillery and the Isle of Harris. Like the iconic Harris Tweed cloth created here for generations, their first historic whisky is woven from the hands of island people and the place they call home, intimately intertwining to produce an elegant spirit of complexity and character. This special connection between people and place continues to this day with every drop of The Hearach created by Isle of Harris hands in the Outer Hebrides. Their recipe uses spirit matured in ex-bourbon casks, oloroso and fino butts.

Every batch of this unique whisky is accompanied by an information sheet which outlines the specifics of that particular bottling. From the barleys and yeasts the distillery team use, to the fermentation times and cut points. Also included in each batch is a few simple words written by someone from the local Isle community as they enjoy a glass and delve a little deeper into their island memories and imagination, to help things along.

The name, ‘The Hearach,’ is the Scottish Gaelic word for ‘a native of Harris.’ References to the Scottish Gaelic language are continued on the packaging to reflect the strong heritage and culture of the Isle of Harris. Additionally, the packaging subtly features the texture of Harris Tweed weaving, a historic island textile protected by a unique act of parliament, adding a tactile element and elevating the premium nature of the product.

"FOR, WITH, AND FROM THE ISLE OF HARRIS

OUR ISLAND STORY BEGINS

The Isle of Harris Distillery began with a simple idea. The inspiration came from Anderson 'Burr' Bakewell, who has been bound to this island through a long connection with nearby Scarp, and many decades of life spent among the landscapes of Harris and people of our community. He believed that the rare and elusive spirit of this island could be captured in a bottle and shared with the world. Over the decades Burr, like many others, noted with sadness the long-term decline in the island's population, our community's numbers having halved over the last fifty years. As young people left our shores to seek their fortune, few were able to return to find work, set down roots and build a life in the place they called home. He believed that a distillery, built for not just years but for generations, could be a way to help stem this tide. So, he gathered a group of like-minded individuals around him and set out on a seven year journey to bring his ambitions to reality.

September 24th 2015 saw his simple idea finally come to fruition as the doors to the Isle of Harris Distillery opened for the first time. That day, we gathered to light an inaugural fire in our distillery hearth. Three generations of Hearaich, the Gaelic word for the people of Harris, each placed a fàd, or block, of peat on the blaze to mark the occasion. We then threw the largest ceilidh the island had ever seen with hundreds of our fellow islanders joining us in the cask warehouse for a night of music, dancing and song, as the first of our island spirit flowed.

The distillery started life with just 10 people and an ambition to double this number over the next five years. Today, we're proud to say we employ almost 40 permanent staff, a highly significant number in an island of fewer than 2000 inhabitants. In these early days of our history, it is clear that Burr's vision is already making a real difference here in the Isle of Harris. As a catalyst for positive change within our community, we continue to work with purpose, bringing new life to our island and supporting its aspirations to survive and thrive as we move forward together to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

THE BOTTLE - DETAILS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Isle of Harris Gin bottle exhibits carefully considered design from the moment it is opened. A simple paper seal, applied by hand here in Harris, bears the coordinates of our island distillery as a promise of provenance.

The Portuguese wooden stopper and cork is branded with our distillery logo and fits perfectly into the glass pourer.

The rippled glass evokes the maritime elements of our island, from the wind-blown seas of Luskentyre to the sweeping sands of Seilebost. There are subtle irregularities in form, curves and dimples which seem to effortlessly fit into the hand. The tactile lines become smooth in places, as if worn by tides like a piece of flotsam or jetsam.

The paper label holds flecks of Sugar Kelp and copper, each one different with over 20 unique iterations.

The reassuring weight of the bottle is held within a crafted solid base, from which rises the colour of summer Harris seas.

Underneath hides a Latin motto to live by, Esse Quam Videri. This is our founder Burr's family motto, in recognition of all his efforts in creating the distillery. It means "To Be, Rather Than Seem To Be", a reminder to remain authentic in everything we do." Isle of Harris Distillery

• Gold &  95/100 Points - 2024 Berlin International Spirits Competition
• Gold - 2024 London Spirits Competition
• Triple Gold - 2024 The World Whiskies Award - Design & Packaging