Harris distillery explained

Harris distillery is a Scotch whisky and Gin distillery in Tarbert on the Isle of Harris, Scotland.^[1] The distillery was the first legal distillery ever built on Harris.^{[1] [2] [3]}

History

Plans for the distillery began in 2011 with submission to the local council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.^[4] With the support of a £2.8 million combined grant from the Scottish Government and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise fund, designed by John R. Coleman Architects,^[5] building commenced in spring 2014.^[1] The total investment for the original project was £10 million, with the remaining funding coming from private sources.^{[6] [7]} The distillery opened in October 2015 and commenced production on 17 December 2015.^[1]

In 2016, BBC Alba produced a TV documentary about the first working year of the distillery.^[8] By 2017, the distillery had welcomed over 144,000 visitors, including Charles, Prince of Wales, as well as receiving 17 awards for their products.^{[3] [9] [10]}

In 2020, the distillery began sponsoring a virtual Cèilidh.^[11] In January 2021, the distillery submitted plans to the Council for expansion, including a new maturation warehouse.^[12]

In July 2021, the distillery launched an eco-friendly initiative to refill bottles.^{[13] [14]}

In autumn 2023, the distillery released its first single malt whisky.^[15]

Facilities

The distillery stills were made in Siena, Italy by Frilli Impianti.^[1] There is a visitor centre.^[3]

Products

As well as a single malt whisky called The Hearach, the Gaelic word for a resident of Harris, the distillery makes a gin using botanicals including local sugar kelp seaweed.^{[1] [16] [17]} As of 2017, over two tonnes of seaweed had been collected for the gin production.^[3] Other botanicals in the gin include Juniper, Coriander, Angelica Root and Cassia Bark.^[18] The gin is sold in a distinctive blue bottle^[14] which won a Gold Award at the World Gin Awards in 2021.^{[18] [19]} The gin bottles are manufactured in Yorkshire by the Stolzle Glass Group.^[9]

57.8976°N -6.804°W

Notes and References

1. Book: Maclean, Charles . 2016 . Whiskypedia. A Gazetteer of Scotch Whisky . Edinburgh . Birlinn. 240–241 . 978-1-78027-401-0.
2. Web site: Isle of Harris Distillers . Scotch Whisky.com . 27 September 2021.
3. Web site: Isle of Harris Distillery ready to toast two years of success . 19 September 2017 . Insider. 27 September 2021.
4. News: Plans for new distillery on the Western Isles . 20 September 2011 . . 27 September 2021.
5. Web site: Isle of Harris Distillery . Visit Outer Hebrides . 7 September 2024.
6. Web site: £10m funding push for first distillery on Harris . 8 May 2012 . The Herald . 27 September 2021.
7. Web site: Isle of Harris distillery under construction . The Drinks Report . 27 September 2021.
8. Web site: Druthag na Hearadh/A Little Drop of Harris . . 27 September 2021.
9. Web site: Prince Charles quizzes reason behind Polish drinking glass during island distillery visit . 19 October 2016 . The Press and Journal . 27 September 2021.
10. Web site: Building on fantastic success . Stornoway Gazette . 27 September 2021.
11. Web site: Isle of Harris distillery bringing island life to the world with virtual ceilidh . 30 January 2021 . The Herald . 27 September 2021.
12. Web site: Isle of Harris Distillery submit plans for expansion . 29 January 2021 . The Scotsman . 27 September 2021.
13. Web site: Sustainable Scotland: Isle of Harris Distillery launches eco-friendly Refill Project . The Scotsman . 27 September 2021.
14. Web site: Isle of Harris Distillery launches gin refill scheme to top up stunning bottles . 2 July 2021 . . 27 September 2021.
15. Web site: 2023-10-11 . "The Hearach": Isle of Harris Distillery veröffentlicht ihren ersten Whisky • CaptainScotch.de . 2023-10-11 . CaptainScotch.de . de-DE.
16. News: First whisky distillery on Isle of Harris opened . 25 September 2015 . BBC News. 27 September 2021.
17. News: Seaweed twist for Hebridean gin . . 27 September 2021.
18. Web site: The Isle of Harris Distillery has walked away with yet another prestigious award. . Stornoway Gazette . 27 September 2021.
19. Web site: Isle of Harris gin gets gold at the World Gin Awards 2021 . The Scotsman . 27 September 2021.