The Isle of Harris, a rugged and beautiful island in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, has long been known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. In recent years, it has also become renowned for something entirely different: gin.
The Isle of Harris Gin, launched in 2015, has quickly become a favourite among spirit enthusiasts worldwide. This artisanal gin is the product of the Isle of Harris Distillery, affectionately known as "The Social Distillery," located in the island's main village of Tarbert.
The distillery's story is deeply intertwined with the island's history and challenges. Over the past five decades, Harris has faced a significant population decline, with numbers halving as young people left in search of opportunities elsewhere. The distillery was conceived as a bold solution to this problem, aiming to create sustainable employment and revitalise the local economy.
Founded by Anderson Bakewell, the distillery began operations with just ten employees and an ambitious goal to double that number within five years. Remarkably, it has far exceeded those expectations, now employing over 50 permanent staff - a substantial figure for an island with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants.
What sets Isle of Harris Gin apart is its unique blend of botanicals, particularly the use of local sugar kelp. This sea algae, hand-harvested by a local diver from the deep underwater forests of the Outer Hebrides, imparts a distinctive coastal flavour to the gin. The sugar kelp joins eight other carefully selected botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, cubebs, bitter orange peel, liquorice, and cassia bark.
The result is a gin with a complex and well-balanced flavour profile. On the palate, it offers a good balance between the bitter juniper and pine notes of a traditional gin and the sweet and salty influence of the sugar kelp. There's a gentle green and grassy undertone, complemented by hints of citrus from the orange peel and earthy spice from the coriander and cubebs.
Visually, Isle of Harris Gin is just as striking as its flavour. It comes in a beautiful blue glass bottle, reminiscent of the seas surrounding the island.
While gin is their flagship product, the distillery also produces whisky. Their first single malt, known as The Hearach (Gaelic for a native of Harris), is still maturing and eagerly anticipated by whisky connoisseurs.
