Our series of weekly whisky Journals continues this week as we share more information about our forthcoming release of The Hearach Single Malt. Last week’s Journal was full of answers on how to buy your bottle on 23.09.23, and what to expect when you visit our online store and Tarbert shop.

The week before also answered your most frequently asked questions so if you missed either emails or want to know more then simply click HERE and HERE to get all caught up. This week, we invite you to meet The Hearach itself, and learn everything from how it got its name to what to expect when you finally get to enjoy the dram.

Read on to learn more, and if you still have something to ask then drop me a line and I’ll try to answer your query.

Slàinte mhor, and as ever here’s to The Hearach!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

Be Here With Us In Harris – 22.09.23 and 23.09.23

WHAT IS ‘THE HEARACH’?

The Hearach is the first (legal) single malt whisky to come from the Isle of Harris, our small Outer Hebridean island situated off the north-west coast of Scotland.

WHY IS IT CALLED ‘THE HEARACH’?

‘Hearach’ is a Scottish Gaelic word which simply means ‘a native of Harris’. We chose this word for our whisky as we wanted it to represent the people of our island, and capture much of their character and home.

HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE ‘THE HEARACH’?

We know Gaelic words can be tricky to say! And even Gaelic speakers can pronounce things a little differently depending on where they come from. So, to help you along we’ve made a fun wee film featuring our fellow islanders. Feel free to “Say The Hearach” with us and send us your best efforts.

WHERE IS YOUR WHISKY MADE?

Every drop of our whisky is distilled at the distillery in Tarbert. We also ‘marry’ our recipe here in Harris, and all the maturation takes place in our warehouses in the coastal village of Ardhasaig just a couple of miles away.

WHO MAKES YOUR WHISKY?

The Hearach is made by local men and women, each trained from scratch in the art and science of distilling. Right now, we have a young team of of distillers with a team of four having an average age of 25, all led by head distiller Norman Iain Mackay. The youngest is Rebekah Morrison from the village of Bowglass, who is just 21 years old.

HOW DOES HARRIS INFLUENCE YOUR WHISKY?

We believe we use the softest water of any distillery in Scotland, which flows over Lewisian Gneiss, some of the oldest rock on earth. Island pace of life and Sunday traditions are reflected in our longer fermentations, while the stable climate of Harris is very conducive to maturation. We also prefer a hands-on operation to bring the final human touch from local people to our spirit.

WHAT DOES ‘THE HEARACH’ TASTE LIKE?

We believe our dram will be different for everyone, as we all have different tastes and memories associated with smells and flavours. We’re also releasing our whisky in batches so there may be subtle variations in flavour between each. So, we don’t have official tasting notes and instead will provide accompanying words from local people and friends from further afield.

GREAT…BUT WHAT DOES ‘THE HEARACH’ REALLY TASTE LIKE?!

Ok…well, it’s a lightly peated dram, full of complexity and character, and the patient drinker will enjoy a revelation of flavours over time. Our blenders would say it’s floral and fruity with sweet spices, and that the long finish has a gentle smoke. But, be sure to share your own thoughts with us when the time is right…

WHAT SORT OF CASKS ARE USED?

We mature our spirit in hand-picked first-fill Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace bourbon casks (American White Oak / Quercus Alba), along with oloroso and fino butts (Spanish Oak / Quercus Robur) from Andalusia in Spain.

WHAT ARE THE BATCH CODES ALL ABOUT?

Each batch is drawn from small collections of casks and married for a minimum of 12 weeks after maturation, which creates subtle variations in flavour. Each batch has its own code on the stopper seal which then connects you to an accompanying set of batch notes and other information online.

WHAT IS THE ABV, AND DO YOU CHILL-FILTER OR USE COLOURING?

We bottle our whisky at 46%, we definitely do not use chill-filtering, and there is no artificial colouring at all.

FINALLY, WHAT DOES THE BOTTLE LOOK LIKE?

As with anything, it’s what’s inside the counts. But, suffice to say we’ve created a special bottle to hold our first whisky. Made in collaboration with the wonderful team at Stranger & Stranger, who also made our much-loved Isle of Harris Gin bottle, we think you’ll love this new member of the Harris distillery family too. All will be revealed on 22.09.23

Got More Questions? Click To Learn More!

Our mailing address is:

Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd is registered in Scotland.
Tarbert, Isle of Harris, HS3 3DJ