Scotland’s newest distillery fills first casks

The first three casks of single malt have been filled at Scotland’s newest whisky distillery.

From left: distillery workers Domhnall Macleod, Billy Fraser and Donnie Macleod with the first Isle of Harris casks

The £10 million Isle of Harris distillery, based in Tarbert, is the first on the island, having opened its doors in September.

Its single malt, dubbed The Hearach, will now lie in its warehouse to mature in a move managing director Simon Erlanger said marked a “hugely significant milestone” for the firm.

He said: “We opened the distillery in late September with what was really a family affair for the whole of the people of Harris, including the biggest ceilidh the island has ever seen, and now we have even more to celebrate with the production of our first spirit.”

After a well-earned rest over the festive period, production manager Kenny Maclean and the distillery team will fill the first run of 200 casks, which have already been bought by private individuals.

Distillery founder and chairman Anderson Bakewell was the first to “nose” the new whisky as it emerged from the still, and described it as “both fruity and floral – peardrops and gentle peat smoke, sweet and a little oily”.