Isle of Harris Distillery: The Hearach and Harris Gin
Updated: 5 hours ago
Isle of Harris Distillery sits in Tarbert, a harbour village on East Loch Tarbert in the Outer Hebrides. It was the first legal distillery ever built on Harris. It opened in October 2015, started production on 17 December 2015, and released its first single malt, The Hearach, in autumn 2023. It also makes a gin with hand harvested sugar kelp.
In this guide
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Isle of Harris at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Region | Islands, Scotland |
Ownership | Isle of Harris Distillers |
History | Opened 2015 |
Whisky and production | The Hearach whisky is distinct from Harris Gin |
Named expressions | The Hearach Single Malt |
Visits | Verify public access, current tours and opening times with the distillery before travelling. |
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Quick facts
Location: Tarbert, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides
Opened: October 2015, production from 17 December 2015
Original investment: about 10 million pounds, including a 2.8 million pound grant from the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Architect: John R. Coleman Architects
Stills: made in Siena, Italy by Frilli Impianti
First single malt: The Hearach, autumn 2023
Spirits: single malt whisky and Isle of Harris Gin
History
Plans began in 2011 with a submission to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Building started in spring 2014. Whisky.com describes it as a social distillery, founded to strengthen the local economy. A 2017 travel blog credits the idea to Anderson 'Burr' Bakewell in 2007.
In 2016 BBC Alba made a documentary about the first working year. By 2017 the distillery had welcomed over 144,000 visitors, including Charles, Prince of Wales, and had won 17 awards. In January 2021 it submitted plans to the council for expansion, including a new maturation warehouse. In July 2021 it launched a bottle refill initiative.
Why the first whisky took so long
New distilleries have to wait. Scotch must mature for at least three years before it can be called whisky, and Harris chose to release its own single malt only in autumn 2023, almost eight years after the first spirit ran. In the meantime the gin carried the brand.
The gin and the sugar kelp
The gin uses local sugar kelp alongside juniper, coriander, angelica root and cassia bark. The official experience page says the kelp is hand harvested from the surrounding sea lochs. Over two tonnes of seaweed had been collected by 2017. The blue bottle won a Gold Award at the World Gin Awards in 2021 and is made in Yorkshire by the Stoelzle Glass Group. A Tidal Strength gin expression is also offered.
The range
The whisky is The Hearach, the Gaelic word for a resident of Harris. The official tour page refers to a selection of Isle of Harris Single Malt whiskies, each showing a different maturation path. Current bottlings, ABVs and prices were not confirmed in this research, so check the distillery shop before publishing.
Visiting
Where: in the heart of Tarbert, yards from the water of East Loch Tarbert
Opening (official page): Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 17:00, closed Saturday and Sunday
Experiences run from 30 March to the end of October
Harris Distillery Experience: 75 minutes, 50 pounds per person, covers gin then single malt and the stillroom
Whisky Experience: 45 minutes, 35 pounds per person
Gin Experience: 45 minutes, 35 pounds per person
Phone: +44 (0)1859 502212, Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00
Getting there: the nearest airport is Stornoway on Lewis, 36 miles north, with Loganair flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness. Caledonian MacBrayne ferries run from Uig on Skye to Tarbert pier, yards from the door. The public spaces are step free and well behaved dogs are welcome, though tours are for people only.
Sources and gaps
Sources: Wikipedia, Isle of Harris distillery; harrisdistillery.com/pages/distillery-tours (opening, tours, access); whisky.com distillery database (social distillery description); visitouterhebrides.co.uk listing.
Gaps for Filip: opening days conflict, as the official page says Monday to Friday while Visit Outer Hebrides says Monday to Saturday, so recheck. Owner and ownership structure, still sizes, capacity, current whisky range, ABVs and prices were not verified. The Burr Bakewell origin comes from a single travel blog. The official home page and about pages returned 404 or an age gate. Tasting notes left out. Set the URL slug in SEO settings and add a cover image.
What makes Isle of Harris distinctive?
The Hearach whisky is distinct from Harris Gin
Isle of Harris whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Documented producer release |
|---|---|---|---|
The Hearach Single Malt | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
The Hearach First Release Batch 1 | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
These expressions are documented in producer or release sources. Limited and historical editions may no longer be available. Whisky Clan has not independently tasted every bottle.
This compares documented expressions, not live shop stock. Strength, age, casks and availability can vary by release; check the producer's bottle information.
More distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Isle of Harris
Where is Isle of Harris Distillery?
In Tarbert on the Isle of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides.
When did it open?
The distillery opened in October 2015 and began production on 17 December 2015.
What is The Hearach?
The distillery's single malt, first released in autumn 2023. Hearach is the Gaelic word for a resident of Harris.
What goes into the gin?
Sugar kelp from the local sea lochs, juniper, coriander, angelica root and cassia bark.
Can I visit?
Yes. There is a visitor centre and guided experiences from 30 March to the end of October. Book ahead in peak season.
Sources and editorial checks
Original historical research and source notes are preserved in this guide. Producer details, distillery access and releases may change.
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Bottle documentation: https://www.harrisdistillery.com/
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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