Tarbert, Isle of Harris HS3 3DJ, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
Isle of Harris Gin
OUTER HEBRIDEAN MARITIME SPIRIT
DISCOVER ISLE OF HARRIS GIN
OUR ISLAND SPIRIT
Our local distillers create this first gin offering from our island distillery in a small copper gin still (“The Dotach”) which sits alongside her larger whisky-making sisters in the distillery’s bright Spirit Hall.
Our key local ingredient is Sugar Kelp seaweed, gathered sustainably by hand from local sea-lochs, as our key botanical to express our island’s unique maritime nature.
Sugar Kelp works in harmony with seven other careful chosen botanicals: Juniper, coriander seeds, cubebs, cassia bark, angelica root, bitter orange peel, and liquorice root.
Every bottle Isle of Harris Gin bears a paper seal with our distillery’s geographical coordinates to show where it is made, your guarantee of a truly Outer Hebridean gin, distilled in the Isle of Harris and nowhere else.
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
MADE IN HARRIS
LOCAL GIN FROM OUR PEOPLE
The making of Isle of Harris Gin journey is placed in the care of skilled local hands.
Our young local distillers perfect their craft, setting to work each day distilling the Isle of Harris Gin we know and love in small batches and with traditional technique.
In this way, the success of our distillery’s first release is directly connected to sustainable island employment as we grow our team to help us meet demand and, in turn, support the islands’ often fragile economy.
By keeping its creation local, Isle of Harris Gin is generating work and vital full-time jobs within our community, allowing us to realise the distillery’s ambitions to help our island survive and thrive.
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
ONLY THE FINEST HEART
NO HEADS OR TAILS
We spare no effort or expense in making Isle of Harris Gin the best it can be.
During the distillation process we do something quite unusual to create a gin which is exceptionally smooth and luxurious to taste.
The heads are the first part of the crystal clear liquid which will flow from the still, high in strength but poorer in flavour.
Then comes the heart, the very best of the distilling run and the part we strive to capture.
Finally, the weaker tails emerge, also less desirable in terms of taste, as the distilling process comes to a close.
It is an expensive decision for us to make but it means we only ever bottle the purest heart, ensuring every drop of Isle of Harris Gin we share with the world holds only the very best of our distilling craft.
From The Sea
INSPIRED BY CLEAR OCEANS
ISLE OF HARRIS GIN IS FROM THE SEA
REFRESHINGLY COMPLEX MARITIME FLAVOURS
Our island spirit is made with local Sugar Kelp seaweed which helps to bring a subtle complexity to the gin.
It plays a starring role, helping to communicate a sense of the pristine coastal Harris environment to the discerning drinker.
Throughout, there is an elusive maritime note reminiscent of clear seas, island beaches, and fresh seaweed, which lifts and intensifies the other flavours.
There are sweet floral notes like coastal machair flowers and green leaves, while underneath lies a spice note of ginger and cinnamon bringing both depth and sophistication.
Finally, the finish is long and sweet with pine, red grapefruit, and a wonderful warm spice
MEET THE KELP MAN
THE DISTILLERY’S SEAWEED SUPERHERO
In Spring each year, the golden-green Sugar Kelp fronds become ready for harvesting by hand, carefully picked from our Outer Hebridean sea lochs, blemish-free and at their best for making Isle of Harris Gin.
We entrust this task to one man, our friend, naturalist, and diver Lewis Mackenzie, who selects every piece of this special seaweed from his secret underwater forests in a highly sustainable way.
As he protects the marine environment in his black and red dry suit, he cuts a heroic figure by the shores of Loch Erisort, so much so that we’ve now nicknamed him ‘The Kelp Man’.
With only a few millimetres of neoprene to keep the cold waters at bay, Lewis collects the kelp by himself, free-diving during a two-hour window on either side of the fortnightly low spring tides.
After 30 years of diving, he always remains impressively enthusiastic about taking the cold plunge in pursuit of these wonderful, savoury-sweet plants, and the ecosystem and sealife this unique habitat supports.
A CULTURE OF KELP
OUR ISLAND’S SEAWEED HISTORY
Our island has a long and fascinating history of seaweed use, full of highs and lows.
The long narrow strips of croft land are testament to the tradition of allowing every family access to a small portion of the shoreline from which to gather this important plant.
Seaweed would be used to feed livestock and would be applied to the soil to provide much needed nutrients for growing root vegetables.
During the Napoleonic wars a huge industry spring up around the harvest and burning of kelp to make potash, a vital ingredient for things like gunpowder and soap.
Today, seaweed is gathered in a much more sustainable fashion, and used for health and beauty prodcuts, as a delicious ingredient for high-end restaurants, as well as in our own Isle of Harris Gin.
THE SOCIAL DISTILLERY
A WARM WELCOME AWAITS
FOR, WITH, AND FROM THE ISLE OF HARRIS
OUR ISLAND STORY BEGINS
The Isle of Harris Distillery began with a simple idea.
Over the decades, our island has suffered from a long-term decline in population, our community’s numbers having halved over the last fifty years.
As young people leave our shores to seek their fortune, few are able to return to find work, set down roots and build a life in the place they called home. We believe that a distillery, built for not just years but for generations, can be a way to help stem this tide.
In 2015, the distillery started life with just 10 people and an ambition to double in number over the next five years. Today, we’re proud to say we employ over 50 permanent staff, a highly significant number in an island of fewer than 2000 inhabitants.
As a catalyst for positive change within our community, we continue to work with purpose, bringing new life to our island and supporting its aspirations to survive and thrive as we move forward together.
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
Two Spirits, One Purpose
WITH THE FUTURE OF HARRIS AT ITS HEART
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
FOR, WITH, AND FROM THE ISLE OF HARRIS
JOBS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
The population of the Isle of Harris has declined by almost 50% over the last 50 years as young people leave to seek work far from our shores.
These changes threaten local traditions, culture, and language as well as leaving schools and village numbers dwindling.
The Isle of Harris Distillery was built to help address these issues by creating sustainable local employment and offer long-term careers for those who wish to stay and set down roots in their island home.
From distilling and blending, to marketing and hospitality – there are a wide variety of skillsets and development opportunities available to local people as we create two beautiful Outer Hebridean spirits and bring them to the world.
We regularly offer placements and internships for young people to help them explore potential career paths, and we’ve developed our current distilling team through formal apprenticeships and training.
Together with other like-minded island enterprises we seek to act as a catalyst of change and a symbol of promise for this generation and those still to come.
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
Visit Us
MAKE THE JOURNEY TO OUR DOOR
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits / The road To
2024 INFORMATION
SPRING OPENING HOURS
The distillery Shop is open six days a week, Monday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm.
Please note our café remains closed for another few weeks, however an Isle of Harris Gin or The Hearach can be enjoyed by our fire.
We also have daily Tours if you’d like to take a look behind the scenes.
We look forward to welcoming you and we’ll be well stocked with The Hearach single malt whisky, Isle of Harris Gin, gift sets, glassware, and lots of other good things.
Dogs are also welcome by our fireside, and you’ll find water bowls on our outdoor patio too!
If you’re planning to visit and would like to know more or have any questions at all please feel free to get in touch.
You can reach us by phone on +44 (0) 1859 502212 from Monday to Friday, 09.00 – 17.00
Or send us an email via info@harrisdistillery.com
We are also available outside office hours through our Social Media channels.
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits / The Nature
HOW TO REACH US
BY LAND, SEA OR AIR
The nearest airport to us is Stornoway, the capital town of the neighbouring Isle of Lewis, 36 miles to our north. You can fly from the Scottish mainland connections of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness via Loganair.
You can also arrive by sea with Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries, most conveniently by ferry from Uig in Skye, disembarking at the pier in East Loch Tarbert just yards from our distillery door.
Alternatively, you can sail from Ullapool to Stornoway or land in Leverburgh to our south from Berneray.
Those of you who skipper their own boats can also make use of the new Isle of Harris Marina pontoons in the bay in front of the distillery.
Whether driving, riding, cycling, or walking, simply look for ‘Tairbeart‘ on the Gaelic roadsigns or ask anyone local for directions.
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits / From the Sea
BOOK A DISTILLERY TOUR TODAY
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits / Distillery Tour
OUR ONLINE BOOKING DIARY IS OPEN
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SUMMER 2024 PRICES
ADULT – £25.00
CHILD 12-17 years – £20.00
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Come behind the scenes to witness the heart of our whisky and gin distilling operation at our working distillery here in the Isle of Harris.
Our knowledgeable local tour hosts are looking forward to sharing a dram and a story or two with you.
Discover the stories surrounding The Hearach single malt whisky, sample our award-winning whisky and gin, and even enjoy a jellybean or three!
A warm Harris welcome awaits…‘thig a chèilidh oirnn’.
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PLEASE NOTE…
Unfortunately for Health and Safety reasons, children under the age of 12 are not permitted on our Distillery tour.
We will provide a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour starts, this will be refunded to the original method of payment.
No refunds will be made to tours cancelled after the 24 hours. Please email to arrange a cancellation.
Due to the demand of our tours during the peak season, we cannot guarantee rescheduling.
If you do wish to change to another tour time you must cancel the tour and rebook a new tour.
Thank you!
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
“It’s my job to make our guests feel at home. They may arrive as a visitor but I would like to think they’ll leave as a distillery friend for life. Our tours have welcomed people from all over the world and it is a privilege to share our story and spirit with them.”
Sandra Fraser, Guest Host.
The Harris Cèilidh
CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP AND CONNECTION
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
WELCOME TO THE HARRIS CÈILIDH!
GREAT SPIRITS, GREAT COMPANY, GREAT MUSIC.
A long-held Outer Hebridean tradition, the word Cèilidh simple means “a visit” in our native Scottish Gaelic language.
This isn’t about kilts and Highland dancing, in fact the real heart of the cèilidh lies in a much more relaxed and informal gathering of family and friends anywhere you call home.
The Harris Cèilidh celebrates the simple pleasures in life, and the essential ingredients are easy: good company, good music, and of course, good drink!
Pour some Isle of Harris Gin, add some toe-tapping tunes, share delicious dishes, and swap stories and songs in the same way the people of the Outer Hebrides have done for centuries…
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
CREATE YOUR OWN CEILIDH
DOWNLOAD OUR SIMPLE GUIDE TO HAVING A CEILIDH
If you’ve never held your own cèilidh then here are 7 simple steps to get you started…
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C . E . I . L . I . D . H.
Comfortable surroundings: Find a convivial space to gather on or offline.
Engaging company: Invite your favourite friends and family.
Interesting stories: Have some tall tales ready to tell.
Love and friendship: Enjoy time well spent in good company.
Island music: Grab an instrument, stream some toe-tapping tunes, or simply sing along.
Dance if the mood takes you: If the night gets lively, get on your feet!
Harris Gin to share: Keep your glass full and the island spirit flowing…
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
THE HARRIS CÈILIDH BOTTLE
SHARE OUR ISLAND SPIRIT IN A SPECIAL WAY
With the help of ceramicist Rupert Blamire, we’ve created a very special object to embody the spirit of The Harris Cèilidh.
Each one is glazed in the beautiful colours of our island’s sea and sky, with wonderfully tactile patterning.
At a half-standard 350ml in size, the Harris Cèilidh Bottle is ideal to present and pour, helping to better enjoy an evening among old friends and family.
These special bottles are highly limited but we release batches online as they become available. Keep checking our shop for more…
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
LET THE MUSIC FLOW
STREAM THE BEST OF TRAD TUNES
We’re now proud to create The Isle of Harris Gin Cèilidh Tent at the annual Hebridean Celtic Festival here in the islands.
Join us here and at other trad music gatherings across the world as we help get the party started with plenty of island spirit.
Meantime, we’ve curated some island music to help your own gatherings go with a swing.
It’s a real mix of old Outer Hebridean toe-tappers and less traditional feet-stompers to enjoy while you share your Isle of Harris Gin
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
Isle of Harris Gin Competitive unique Spirits
