As the post-holiday blues set in and cold winter chills take hold, there's only one thing to truly warm the bones – a glass of single malt whisky. And we've got the perfect dram for you.
Isle of Harris Distillery's newest release, The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured, is the second permanent single malt in The Hearach range. First making their name with the award-winning Isle of Harris Gin, this is the second whisky to come off the stills on Harris – and it's just as impressive as the first, which was released a year prior.
Being the first distillery to make whisky on the Isle of Harris is no small feat. In a country awash with big name distilleries and distinctive styles, standing out or starting new can be a hard task. But Isle of Harris Distillery are doing just that, making a name for themselves with a great quality dram.
The Oloroso Cask Matured expression sees the whisky matured entirely in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks sourced from Bodega Jose Miguel Martin in south-west Spain. This delivers a rich, bold and aromatic dram perfect for winter. With bold notes of winter spices, dried oranges, green herbs and walnut, The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured provides a moment of indulgence and is the perfect tonic to the cold months.
Distilling in a new region can come with its drawbacks, but a major perk for Isle of Harris Distillery is that by being the first, they had the freedom to go against the grain and dictate their own style of whisky. For this release, that means reflecting the distillery’s ethos of “people and place woven together,” and combining the craftsmanship of Harris locals with the expertise of Spanish sherry makers.
"Initially there are winter aromas of cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves which remind me of Christmas at home," says Harry Wood, Isle of Harris Distillery blender, of the flavour profile. "There are green notes of herbs and the nostalgic creaminess of white chocolate from childhood days. When sipped, I can taste walnuts and fireside wood smoke. The dram develops with a hint of thyme from my kitchen, closely followed by dried oranges. Spices then come through, like vanilla pods and a subtle sense of cloves, before a long leather and liquorice finish."
From the heat of Jerez to the firesides of Harris, lean into the cosiness of winter with the perfect whisky to bring some indulgent joy to January.
For more information visit harrisdistillery.com
