Isle of Harris Distillery (IOHD), a boutique distillery founded in 2015 on the Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides Islands, Scotland are excited to announce the launch of their multi-award winning gin finally making its way to U.S. shores.
Known as the ‘Social Distillery’, IOHD was founded with the purpose of providing employment for future generations of the local islanders, thus reversing decades of population decline.
The Isle of Harris Gin is the distillery’s inaugural spirit, distilled in Tarbert in a small copper gin still, known as ‘The Dottach’. Juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, cubebs, bitter orange peel, liquorice and cassia bark all play their role in defining the taste of the gin, but it is sugar kelp that marks out this spirit. Sustainably harvested by a local diver from around the seas of the Outer Hebrides, the sugar kelp creates subtle coastal notes. The distillers discard, instead of the more mainstream method of recycling, the ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ of the spirit run, leaving only the very best of the distillate’s ‘heart’ to create an exceptional and premium smoothness.
Harris Gin Tasting Notes
Nose: A well-defined juniper note with pine needles, immediately followed by the fresh citrus notes of bitter orange, lime and grapefruit. Develops a complex floral note of rose and wallflowers with crushed green herbs, coriander and gooseberry all underpinned by mixed spice. Sugar kelp adds to the complexity and richness with a dry maritime note.
Palate: Refreshing, with good balance between the bitter juniper and pine and the sweet fruit flavours of mango, grapefruit, and orange. A green herb flavour develops with crushed coriander. Distinctive and smooth with a dry, flinty taste.
Finish: Overall a long, clean finish. As the juniper and citrus peel notes fade away, sweet vanilla and black pepper remain with a gentle reminder of the sea.
The retail price is $65.99, and it is available from:
TEXAS: Goody Goody, Twin Liquors, Pogo’s Wine & Spirits (Dallas), La Carve Warehouse (Dallas), Siegel’s Riverfront (Dallas), Joe Saglimbeni Fine Wines and Spirits (San Anotonio), Liquor Source (Houston), M & R Liquors (Houston and Cypress), Orion #1 Liquor (Houston), West Loop Liquor (Houston), The Austin Shaker (Austin), Liquid Town (Corpus Christie) and Panther Creek Wine and Spirits (The Woodlands).
CALIFORNIA: K&L Wine Merchants – Retail stores are in San Francisco, Redwood City and Hollywood, California.
ILLINOIS: 1340 Wine and Spirits, Noble Grape, Wine Brokers of Illinois, Binnys (Algonquin, Grand Ave Chicago, Bloomingdale, South Loop Chicago, Lincoln Park Chicago, Logan Square Chicago, Orland Park, Elmwood, Glencoe, Oak Brook, Lincolnwood), Garfield’s (Crystal Lake).