Origin: Isle of Harris (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Sherry
Chillfiltetred: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Isle of Harris Distillers ltd
Average price: € 90.00
Official website: harrisdistillery.com
After debuting a couple of years ago, the Isle of Harris distillery returns to these pages with one of several bottlings released over time.
The second addition to their base line, this bottle sees a minimum of six years’ maturation entirely in ex-oloroso sherry casks, thus losing the ex-bourbon component, starting with a fermentation of between 60 and 120 hours.
Tasting Notes
The first thing one notices on the nose is the lightness of the casks on the distillate, lacking the sherried swirl usually found in single maturations. Delicacy of ripe red fruits (blackberries, blueberries, cherries) with orange peel, a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon, hazelnuts, a drop of balsamic vinegar, chocolate and a thick layer of chestnut honey. Ethereal and elegant peat, expressed with toasted herbs (thyme, marjoram), mint and a mineral vein running through the aromas. Toasted wood. Fragrant and elegant.
On the palate it’s rather light, lacking a little body, and immediately attacks with the peaty part, still under the banner of herbaceous and balsamic tones with more emphasis on burnt wood. The structure remains in the sweetness of the fruit (more citrus interference, between orange and pink grapefruit) with incursions of caramel, Haribo liquorice, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) and a hint of incense along the length, where astringency and a rather lively salty tip grow.
The finish is quite long and balsamic, continuing the salty trail on notes of incense, herbs, charcoal smoke, liquorice, red fruits and crème brûlée.
Perhaps it would have benefited from a higher strength, but the integration of the Oloroso with the distillate works and entertains, offering an original dram that departs from the classic sherry bombs with a distinct personality that promises great things in the future.
Vote: 85/100