Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Isle of Harris.
Bottler: Distillery.
Region: Scotland/Island Single Malt.
ABV: 46%.
Age: N/A. Bottled on 6 July 2023.
Cask type: Bourbon, Oloroso, Fino Sherry.
Nose: Heather, hay, and a field of burned grass; a touch of citrus, ginger, and patchouli; oranges and dried chili peppers with a strong earthiness that turned toward burned sage and a mellow barn quality.
Palate: Medium to light-body; hay and dry grass with earth, monkey pod trees, citrus, and a kiss of smoke; charred oranges with wildflowers and heather; a kiss of salt; swimming pool chemicals and wood toward the end.
Finish: Long and lingering with mellow orange, fruit, pepper, and wood.
Mental Image: Indoor Barnyard Swimming Pool.
Conclusion: A delightfully complex melange of summer-scorched grass, hay, wispy smoke, and aromatic citrus rinds and resins wafted out of the glass with a touch of funky barnyard and earth. A touch medicinal at times with herbs and swimming pool chemicals. The palate had a similar structure and profile, with more oranges and florals interspersed between dried grass and earth. The finish was impressively long with fruit, wood, and a bit of youthful pepper.
This malt made for an impressive introduction to the Isle of Harris Distillery— a touch youthful at times but otherwise remarkably well-integrated and balanced. I found that the earthy elements and the hints of barnyard funk, rather like dank grasses or musty hay and old wood, lent this a charming uniqueness. It did not feel like just another new distillery replicating a well-trodden experience.
Overall, a quality first impression.
Final Score: 82.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 