The Isle of Harris Distillery has announced an important new addition to its range: Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky, a lightly peated Outer Hebridean whisky created to become the distillery’s approachable signature dram.
Bottled at 46% ABV, the new expression combines whisky matured in ex-Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace bourbon casks with spirit matured in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It is then married for a minimum of 12 weeks before bottling, helping the different cask components come together with greater balance and harmony.
Presented at natural colour and without chill filtration, Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky brings together the distillery’s fruity, floral and lightly smoky house style in a whisky designed to be opened, poured and shared.
A New Signature Whisky from the Isle of Harris
Located beside the harbour in Tarbert, the Isle of Harris Distillery opened in 2015 with a purpose extending beyond whisky production. Established as a social distillery, it was created to provide sustainable employment and support the long-term future of the island community.
Its first major release was the distinctive Isle of Harris Gin, which helped introduce the distillery and its Outer Hebridean identity to drinkers around the world.
Whisky production was always central to the distillery’s plans, however, and The Hearach became the first historic single malt whisky produced on the Isle of Harris when it was released in 2023.
The new Isle of Harris Single Malt takes the next step. While The Hearach remains an important expression of the distillery’s whisky-making, this new bottling carries the Isle of Harris name prominently and has been created as an accessible signature dram for a wider range of drinking occasions.
Made, Matured and Married in the Outer Hebrides
Every component of Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky is distilled in the harbour village of Tarbert using gentle mashing and extended fermentation.
The spirit is then matured in warehouses near the coastal settlement of Ardhasaig, where the casks experience the changing conditions of the North Atlantic. Once the required flavour profile has been reached, the selected whiskies are combined and returned to cask for a minimum marriage of 12 weeks.
This final period allows the bourbon and sherry-matured components to integrate before bottling, creating a more rounded and harmonious whisky.
The complete process, from distillation and maturation to marrying and bottling, takes place on the Isle of Harris.
Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Cask Maturation
The new Isle of Harris Single Malt is matured using a combination of:
- Ex-Heaven Hill bourbon casks
- Ex-Buffalo Trace bourbon casks
- Ex-Oloroso sherry casks
The American bourbon casks contribute vanilla, caramel, fruit and gentle oak sweetness, while the Oloroso sherry casks add richer dried-fruit notes, spice and depth.
A light level of peat runs through the whisky without dominating its sweeter character. The result is intended to retain the dry, mineral quality associated with Isle of Harris spirit while remaining smooth, vibrant and approachable.
Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky Tasting Notes
Nose
Butterscotch and iced cherry Bakewell tart are followed by pastry-shop sweetness, boiled fruit sweets and delicate floral notes.
Palate
Rich buttery caramel develops alongside sweet clove, ginger, bright fruit and the dry, flinty character associated with Isle of Harris spirit.
Finish
Long and creamy, with lingering sweetness, gentle spice and a restrained touch of Outer Hebridean peat smoke.
The balance of bourbon and Oloroso casks gives the whisky warmth and sweetness, while the light peat adds depth without overwhelming its fruit-forward character.
How Does It Compare with The Hearach?
Both Isle of Harris Single Malt and The Hearach Single Malt Scotch Whisky are bottled at 46% ABV, lightly peated, non-chill filtered and presented without artificial colouring.
The most noticeable difference is the cask recipe.
The Hearach combines whisky matured in first-fill bourbon casks with both Oloroso and Fino sherry butts. Its profile is complex and gradually unfolding, with notes of toasted malt, apple, wildflowers, spice, candied ginger and gentle peat smoke.
The new Isle of Harris Single Malt uses bourbon and Oloroso casks without the Fino sherry component. Its flavour profile places greater emphasis on butterscotch, caramel, bright fruit, floral sweetness and approachable spice.
Rather than replacing The Hearach, the new expression broadens the distillery’s range. The Hearach remains the original historic single malt from Harris, while Isle of Harris Single Malt offers a relaxed and versatile introduction to the distillery’s lightly peated island style.
A Whisky Made to Be Enjoyed
Isle of Harris Single Malt has been created as a whisky to open rather than simply collect.
Its combination of sweetness, fruit, gentle spice and light smoke makes it suitable for several different serves:
Neat: The best way to explore its balance of caramel, floral fruit and restrained peat.
With a little water: A few drops should open the fruit, floral sweetness and softer spice.
In a highball: Its 46% ABV and bright, lightly smoky profile should remain expressive when lengthened with chilled soda.
In whisky cocktails: The bourbon-cask sweetness and gentle peat make it suitable for simple, spirit-forward serves.
This versatility is central to the new release, positioning it as an everyday signature whisky while maintaining the natural presentation expected from the distillery.
Explore More Isle of Harris Products at HTFW
The wider Isle of Harris range provides several ways to explore the distillery’s Outer Hebridean character.
The Hearach Single Malt Scotch Whisky was the first single malt whisky released from the Isle of Harris. Matured in bourbon, Oloroso and Fino sherry casks, it offers gentle peat smoke, toasted malt, apple, floral notes and candied sweetness.
For those looking to sample the whisky before purchasing a full bottle, The Hearach Single Malt Whisky Miniature presents the original expression in a convenient 5cl format.
The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured Single Malt is matured entirely in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts, creating a richer profile built around orange peel, walnut, herbs, wood smoke, spice, leather and liquorice.
The distillery’s best-known spirit remains Isle of Harris Gin, a distinctive Scottish gin made with sugar kelp gathered from the waters surrounding the island.
The complete selection can be found on the Isle of Harris brand page.
Isle of Harris Single Malt Launch Date
The whisky will receive its official island launch at the distillery in Tarbert on 14 July 2026, accompanied by whisky tastings, launch experiences and a traditional cèilidh.
It will then be released online by the distillery at 10:00 GMT on 22 July 2026.
The bottle follows the recognisable design language of Isle of Harris Gin, using textured glass and prominent Isle of Harris branding. This creates a clear visual connection between the distillery’s established gin and its new signature single malt.
Why the New Isle of Harris Single Malt Stands Out
The release brings together several features that should appeal to both established whisky drinkers and those exploring lightly peated Scotch for the first time:
- Made, matured and married entirely on the Isle of Harris
- Lightly peated Outer Hebridean single malt
- Matured in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks
- Ex-Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace casks used in the recipe
- Married for a minimum of 12 weeks
- Bottled at 46% ABV
- Non-chill filtered
- No artificial colouring
- Designed for neat drinking, highballs and cocktails
It offers a clear sense of island character without relying on heavy smoke, combining sweetness and gentle peat in a style intended to remain both distinctive and accessible.
Final Thoughts
Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky marks a significant new chapter for one of Scotland’s most distinctive island distilleries.
By combining ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks with lightly peated spirit, the distillery has created a whisky centred on butterscotch, caramel, floral fruit, gentle spice and restrained smoke. Its natural presentation and 46% ABV maintain the standards established by The Hearach, while its approachable character gives it a separate and clearly defined place within the range.
For drinkers already familiar with Isle of Harris Gin or The Hearach, the new release offers another expression of the distillery’s Outer Hebridean identity. For newcomers, it could become one of the most accessible introductions to modern island single malt Scotch whisky.
