How Does This Compare With The First Isle of Harris The Hearach Release?
The rush to get hold of those first free Hearach releases was quite something—you might remember it from September 2023. The distillery had built such a strong reputation with Harris Gin that anticipation for their whisky was immense. However, that release consisted of multiple batches, and while the general consensus was that it showed good progress for the distillery, it wasn’t worth chasing at inflated prices on the secondary market.
Bringing sherry into the mix was always inevitable, and given its appeal as an entry point for new whisky drinkers, it makes The Isle of Harris The Hearach range even more accessible. Many everyday consumers are familiar with the sweetness of Oloroso sherry and what it can bring to a whisky, further enhancing its broad appeal.
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What Are The Sherry Casks Adding To This Whisky?
The first few releases of The Hearach were quite interesting. A blend of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-fino sherry casks (a particularly dry style of sherry) allowed you to experience the new-make spirit, some wonderful sweetness, and the occasional ‘off’ note. This whisky wasn’t bad, but as mentioned before, it was very much a work in progress—an indication of things to come.
Focusing on Oloroso sherry here will bring out all those rich red fruits, berries, a touch of milk chocolate, and deep, marinated fruit notes like raisins and sultanas.
Final Thoughts On The Isle Of Harris The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured
The Isle of Harris The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured is a testament to the continued progress at the Isle of Harris Distillery. With concerns growing over a potential whisky surplus and small distilleries without major backing facing rising costs across the board, focusing on what they can sell—rather than taking risks on more unconventional releases—seems like the right approach. This is a strong addition to their range.