Our whiskies may be made in Harris, but part of their story always begins in Kentucky. Much of the new-make spirit for our single malts spend time maturing in ex-bourbon casks sourced from distilleries in the USA.

By law, American bourbon must be aged in brand new, charred oak barrels. Once used, those casks can’t be used again for bourbon, so they travel across the Atlantic for a second life here in our warehouses. At the distillery, our casks come from some of Kentucky’s best-known producers, namely Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill and Woodford Reserve.

These American oak barrels play a huge role in shaping the character of our dram, whether enjoyed in its purest form in our limited single cask releases or as part of the recipes used in The Hearach range. There are historic connections between our islands and the Bluegrass state too, as many islanders emigrated there over a century ago, so the connections of people and place also stay alive in this special way.

DISCOVER OUR WHISKIES

With March has come two things: St David’s Day this past Sunday, and the blooming of crowds of daffodils, whose friendly yellow heads line every available flowerbed or roadside, it seems. The combination has me reflecting on Welsh whisky — a lesser-known category, but nevertheless a celebrated one.

Welsh whisky (or Wisgi Cymreig) is known for its light and delicate style, although the small, dynamic nature of many of the country’s distilleries allows for variation and innovation. Below, I have collated four Welsh whiskies worthy of joining your whisky shelf this March.

March doesn’t just herald spring, here at Whisky Magazine. It’s the month of two of our most-anticipated events: the World Whiskies Awards 2026 global results, and Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London. I really can’t think of a better way to celebrate the brilliant work happening in the whisky industry at the moment.

Bradley Weir, Whisky Magazine editor

Aber Falls

Single Malt Welsh Whisky

Aber Falls captures the flavours of North Wales in its core single malt, part of a family of whiskies that includes special cask finishes.

Tasting notes… Citrus, florals, spice. Smooth, approachable, and very drinkable

Penderyn

2015 10-Year-Old Bourbon Cask

Distilled on the Brecon Beacons using pure natural spring water from the national park, this Whisky Exchange exclusive is the perfect encapsulation of Penderyn’s spirit.

Tasting notes… Sponge cake and pastry. Sweet and fruity.

In the Welsh Wind

Brychan Blended Malt

Brychan has just been named Best Welsh Blended Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2026, meaning there’s never been a better time to try it.

Tasting notes… Chocolate, honey, fruit. Try this in a cocktail.

Dà Mhìle

Sherry Hogshead 2025 Release

At 9 Years Old, this organic single malt is Dà Mhìle’s oldest release to date. The distillery recommends pairing it with patatas bravas — how could we resist?

Tasting notes… Cherry, green apples, vanilla. A great achievement.

Mac-Talla PX is the second expression in the range to focus on full Pedro Ximénez maturation, delivering a rich and opulent take on Islay single malt. Matured in a combination of first fill PX sherry butts and refill PX sherry hogsheads, this release brings together the depth of PX sherry influence with the unmistakable character of Islay spirit. Bottled at a robust 52.8% ABV, Mac-Talla PX offers a deeply flavoured style that shows the Mac-Talla range at its most indulgent.

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Next in our series celebrating the people behind our drams, we’re delighted to introduce Shona Macleod, who grew up just a few steps from our distillery doors. In December 2014, she joined the distillery as part of the founding Tarbert 10, our original team of ten, beginning her journey as Guest Services Manager.

Her hands-on involvement in the sampling and quality aspects of Isle of Harris Gin naturally sparked a deeper interest in whisky production as her journey continued. Her keen nose and talent for whisky tasting soon saw her under the mentorship of our flavour guru Gordon Steele as her sensory skills went from strength to strength.

Today, Shona is now our Distillery Blender, leading the way on creating all our whisky recipes alongside the art and science of cask selection and maturation. Thanks for everything you do Shona, we’re proud to know our dram is in your safe Hearach hands!

LEARN ABOUT THE SOCIAL DISTILLERY

Complex, elegant, and full of character, our inaugural expression is a delicious dram which unfolds in your glass, revealing itself over time, just like the island itself. Made to our carefully refined blenders’ recipe, we combine spirits which have been matured by the coastal village of Ardhasaig in selected first fill Ex-Bourbon casks, first fill Ex-Oloroso and Fino sherry butts. We then marry these spirits in batches for a minimum of 12 weeks to bring additional harmony to the final dram.

The result is an Outer Hebridean single malt of distinction we’re proud to bottle and bear our elemental island’s name.

DISCOVER THE HEARACH

‘Freedom and Whisky gang thegither!’

A first for The Whisky Shop, welcome to an exciting new podcast mini series in collaboration with The Macallan! Join W Club Manager, Luke Crowley-Holland, on the banks of the river Spey for not one, but FOUR new podcasts recorded at The Macallan Estate, exploring the people that make the brand what it is. Come with us as we uncover the hidden gems behind The Macallan – its liquid, its experiences, its people, and its history. Episodes 1 and 2 available now – listen to them below! Once you have explored the marvelous story of The Macallan, you can pick up one of their drams to enjoy!

EXPLORE PODCAST>

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

This fall marks SMWS Canada’s 15th anniversary and we’re celebrating by hosting our first-ever distillery tour in Scotland from September 13th – 20th!

Scotland-based luxury travel company MacLean & Bruce has worked with us to put together an exciting itinerary of distillery tours, heritage site visits, a cooperage tour, and gastronomic culinary experiences for 12 people.

Your trip begins in Edinburgh followed by several days spent exploring some of Scotland’s distilleries from the Lowlands to the Highlands. The week culminates with a lunch and tasting hosted by legendary whisky writer Charlie MacLean MBE at the original home of the SMWS, The Vaults in Leith.

SMWS Canada founders Rob and Kelly Carpenter will be accompanying you on this exciting adventure but don’t let that deter you! 😉 This is a must for any member eager to visit the Society’s spiritual home in Leith and enjoy some of Scotland’s best whisky regions.

VIEW FULL ITINERARY HERE

Every drop of our island whisky is matured here in Harris, just two miles from the distillery where its made. Here, our warehouses stand by the (sometimes) wild Atlantic shores in the small village of Ardhasaig, all in the shadow of the mighty Clisham mountain.
The maritime climate here is steady year round and the elements of Harris are able to work plenty of their mysterious magic as maturation progresses. Surrounded by bobbing boats in the nearby bay, and the ruins of old croft blackhouses, it really is a stunning place to transform our new-make spirit into a single malt…

DISCOVER OUR WHISKIES