Isle of Harris – The Hearach (70cl)

The Hearach is the first whisky made on Harris in the Outer Hebrides, and takes its name from the word for people native to the island. It comes in a 70cl bottle. The barley is lightly peated, at 12 to 15 ppm, with hand-cut peat from Cleite Mhor in South Harris, and the water comes from Abhainn Cnoc a Charrain. After a fermentation of up to five days, the whisky is matured for at least five years in ex-bourbon casks (Woodford Reserve, Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace) and ex-sherry casks (Oloroso and Fino). The nose is gently peaty with citrus, honey and ginger. The palate is soft, peaty and lightly spiced, with vanilla, tobacco and ginger, leading to a savoury, maritime, spicy finish.