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Isle of Harris Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

Could this Outer Hebrides single malt be the perfect gentle introduction to peated whisky? We taste the signature Isle of Harris Single Malt to find out.

OVERALL RATING

8
$62
  • Mark Bostock, a whisky enthusiast specializing in independent bottlings.
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Tasting Notes

About:

The new signature single malt from the Outer Hebrides’ Isle of Harris distillery, created to showcase the fruity, floral and lightly peated character of the spirit. The Isle of Harris Single Malt is crafted using 100% Scottish barley, distilled in the harbour village of Tarbert and matured in the distillery’s shoreline warehouses at Ardhasaig. The whisky is matured in a combination of first-fill ex-Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels alongside ex-Oloroso sherry casks. The component whiskies are then brought together and married for a minimum of 12 weeks. Natural colour and non-chill filtered, bottled at 46% ABV.
Appearance:
Bright Gold
Nose:
Sweet pastry aromas topped with vanilla icing, accompanied by bright cherry, orange and baked apple fruits with a little papaya. There are also notes of honey, boiled pear drops sweets and oak spice.
Palate:
On the palate, rich buttery caramel opens accompanied by touches of ginger, cinnamon and oak. Notes of vanilla, orange citrus and boiled fruit sweets follow balanced by fresh cut grass, flinty minerality, and gentle peat with an echo of smoke.
Finish:
A medium-long finish, creamy vanilla and caramel return shifting into gentle peat before warming oak, pepper and clove.
Comments:
Crafted as an accessible whisky to be shared and enjoyed, the Isle of Harris single malt is definitely approachable with some pleasant sweet notes of pastries, caramel, and vanilla complemented by bright fruits, flinty minerality and gentle peat for a well-balanced style. I particularly enjoyed the boiled sweet notes. The peat is very gentle with only a subtle echo of smoke, so this expression would be an option for those seeking a mild introduction to peated whiskies. At the price point, the Isle of Harris single malt is a whisky which can be opened and enjoyed, to be savoured neat of as a premium cocktail mixer.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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