An island distillery is today releasing the second “permanent expression” within its  single malt range, exactly one year after the historic release of its famous inaugural whisky.

The Scotch whisky distillery said the new expression “is entirely matured in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts, for a bold and deeply aromatic spirit that builds upon the complexity and drinkability that fans of The Hearach have come to expect, while tapping into growing consumer interest in sherry-matured whisky”.

Isle of Harris Distillery has named the new expression The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured.

It said: “The rich dram features notes of orange peel, warming spices, fireside smoke and toasted hazelnuts that evoke a cosy winter evening - an antidote to the cooler nights as the evenings become longer and the autumnal chill sets in.”

Isle of Harris Distillery declared: “Opened in 2015 to create sustainable employment for their island community, the second core expression of The Hearach joins the inaugural single malt and multi-award-winning Isle of Harris gin in helping the distillery fulfil its purpose supporting the island economy through sustainable career opportunities - growing from a founding team of 10 in 2015 to over 45 full-time employees in 2024.”

The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured is available for purchase from today at 10am, with bottles for sale online, at the distillery, and through speciality whisky sellers in the UK at a recommended retail price (RRP) of £75.

 

The distillery said: “Batches one through four are available now, with additional product to come in 2025.”

It noted the whisky is also now available internationally “in the United States, France, and Germany, with additional markets to follow in the coming months”.

Bottled at 46% ABV (alcohol by volume), the non-chill-filtered spirit is “lightly peated, matured in casks hand-picked for quality from the respected Bodega José y Miguel Martín in the beautiful Andalusia region in southern Spain”, the distillery noted.

It added: “Distilled, matured, married and bottled on the Isle of Harris, The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured is crafted by the same team of dedicated locals behind the success of the inaugural single malt – named after the Scottish Gaelic word that refers to a native of the Isle of Harris.

"With the release of the Oloroso expression, the distillery ethos of ‘people and place woven together’ expands to encompass the talented Spanish sherry winemakers and coopers who use the same care in crafting exceptional Oloroso, and the casks that have lent their flavour to the final spirit."

Simon Erlanger, managing director at Isle of Harris Distillery, said: “After years of careful development, it’s finally time to share the next expression of The Hearach with the world - marking another milestone just one year after the outstanding success of The Hearach’s inaugural launch.

“The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured has allowed us to build a strong connection between The Isle of Harris Distillery and the family sherry-makers José y Miguel Martín of Andalusia. It has been an incredible experience working with a team with a similar dedication to craft and discovering the similarities between our cultures and communities.”