After many years without any (legal) distilleries, the distilling scene on the Outer Hebrides has burst into life. Soon visitors will have the choice of four malt whiskies, the traditional tipple on the islands, and three boutique gins, the newcomer spirit.
The Isle of Harris Distillery in Tarbert has won rave reviews for its gin, which is a frequent award-winner, and has been voted Scotland's favourite gin. Fans of the gin are awaiting the release of "The Hearach", the distillery's malt whisky, which is currently maturing in the North-Harris Hills.
North Uist Distillery was founded by a young couple, Jonny & Kate, who returned to the islands to pursue their dream of their own distillery. They are now selling "Downpour" a spicy gin with hints of citrus and heather. Their plans for a full-scale whisky distillery have now been approved in an old steadings on the adjacent island of Benbecula. Nunton Whisky will be in the making soon.
Locals Michael and Katie have set up Isle of Barra Distillery, producing the wonderful "Barra Atlantic Gin" and plans are afoot to build a new distillery to house both gin and a Barra whisky.
Abhainn Dearg distillery has been in production for over a decade, producing Abhainn Dearg (Red River) Whisky. It was the first single malt whisky from a distillery in the Outer Hebrides since 1829.
