Isle of Harris Unveils New Hearach Malt
(Credit: Isle of Harris)
Scottish distiller Isle of Harris has launched their new The Hearach of Château Biac, a single malt Scotch whisky born from a unique partnership with the winemakers of the much-loved Château Biac in Bordeaux.
Crafted by the same dedicated local team behind the distillery’s acclaimed inaugural single malt, The Hearach of Château Biac presents an extremely limited product, with only 720 bottles being released on the distillery’s online shop at £125.
To ensure fair access to this limited release, customers can enter the online ballot, currently active, with a one-week window to register their interest before entries close at 5pm on 20th March. In addition to the online ballot, a small number of bottles will also be available at the distillery shop and select international markets including Switzerland, the United States, France and Japan.
The Hearach of Château Biac has been wholly matured in French Oak wine barrels, previously used in the vinification process of the Secret de Château Biac, a sweet white wine ‘liquoreux‘ produced in very limited quantities by this independent vineyard that dates back to the 17th century. These barrels are unique to Isle of Harris Distillery and have never before been used to mature Scotch malt whisky. The result is a whisky that is intriguing, floral, and refined, with complex layers of ripe pears, sweet lemon, jasmine, spring flowers, mixed spice and vanilla. Bottled at 50% ABV, non-chill filtered, and free from artificial colouring, this lightly peated whisky (12–15 ppm) is presented with a bespoke label and gift box, making it, in addition, an exceptional collector’s item and gift.
Isle of Harris Distillery is known as the ‘social distillery’ for fostering connections between its island home and the wider world. One such bond is with Tony and Youmna Asseily and their children, who have restored the stellar reputation of the wines of Château Biac since acquiring the estate in 2006. Introduced to the distillery in 2017 through a mutual friend, the Asseilys – longtime lovers of Scotch whisky – suggested maturing Isle of Harris spirit in their French oak barrels that have been used in the vinification and aging of their sweet wine. The rare whisky embodies the shared crafts of Bordeaux wine making and Outer Hebridean distilling and reflects the Hearach’s essence as a spirit ‘woven from people and place.’
