Isle of Harris Gin 750 ml

Isle of Harris Gin comes from a genuinely community-rooted distillery on the shores of East Loch Tarbert, in the heart of the Outer Hebrides — a business the local community itself credits with doing more for the island's economy than any other single enterprise since it opened in October 2015 and began production that December. The distillery has welcomed more than 144,000 visitors, including Charles, Prince of Wales, and earned 17 awards for its products within its first two years alone.

What makes this gin genuinely distinctive is its ninth botanical: sugar kelp, hand-harvested by a local diver from the deep underwater forests surrounding the Outer Hebrides, alongside juniper, angelica, cassia, coriander, cubeb, liquorice root, orange peel, and orris root. That kelp contributes a real, subtle maritime umami character found in essentially no other gin, a genuine reflection of the island's deep connection to the sea. The gin is distilled in a small copper still known locally as "The Dottach" — Gaelic for a small, fiery, feisty woman — and presented in a genuinely striking, wave-inspired bottle design that's become something of a modern gin icon in its own right.

Isle of Harris has been voted Scotland's top gin three years running in surveys by the Scottish Gin Society, and this exact bottling has earned Gold at the London Spirits Competition in 2022 and Gold in the London Dry category at the World Gin Awards in 2021. Wine.com's official tasting notes describe "a well-defined juniper note with pine needles, followed by the fresh citrus notes of bitter orange, lime and grapefruit," developing "a complex floral note of rose and wallflowers with crushed green herbs, coriander and gooseberry all underpinned by mixed spice," with sugar kelp adding "complexity and richness" and "a dry maritime note," the palate "refreshing, with good balance between bitter juniper and pine and the sweet fruit flavors of mango, grapefruit and orange," closing "long" and "clean" as "sweet vanilla and black pepper remain with a gentle reminder of the sea." Johanne McInnis' independent review found the nose "crisp and clean," with "a light floral aroma reminiscent of orange blossom and rose water," the palate "peppery sweet juniper on arrival," the kelp lending "a dry maritime touch" that's "a good counterpoint to the dominant piney juniper," though noting it "turns a little flinty and sour towards the finish." This is genuinely well-crafted, distinctive Scottish gin — real maritime character from one of the most beautifully packaged, community-driven distilleries in the entire category.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Isle of Harris Gin is produced by the Isle of Harris Distillery, in Tarbert, on the shores of East Loch Tarbert, in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The distillery opened in October 2015 and began production that December, and remains a community-focused business closely tied to the island's local economy.

The gin is made from nine botanicals — juniper, angelica, cassia, coriander, cubeb, liquorice root, orange peel, orris root, and sustainably harvested sugar kelp, hand-picked by a local diver from sea lochs around the Outer Hebrides. Distillation takes place in a small copper still known as "The Dottach." Bottled at 45% ABV / 90 proof, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

Voted Scotland's Top Gin — Scottish Gin Society (3 consecutive years)

Gold Medal, Gin — London Spirits Competition, 2022

Gold Medal, London Dry — World Gin Awards, 2021

Wine.com / Isle of Harris (official tasting note):
"A well-defined juniper note with pine needles, 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 and gives a dry maritime note. Refreshing, with good balance between bitter juniper and pine and the sweet fruit flavors of mango, grapefruit and orange. A green herb flavor of crushed coriander develops. Distinctive and smooth with a dry, flinty taste. Overall a long, clean finish. As the juniper and citrus fade away, sweet vanilla and black pepper remain with a gentle reminder of the sea."

Johanne McInnis, Distiller.com (extended independent review):
"Nose: Crisp and clean with highlights of juniper and pine needles. There's a light floral aroma reminiscent of orange blossom and rose water, and a subtle spicy note of musky nutmeg and coriander. Palate: Peppery sweet juniper on arrival. Citrus flavours follow quickly, along with herbal and spice notes. There is an elusive and slightly odd note that I presume is the sugar kelp botanical they feature. It lends a dry maritime touch that is a good counterpoint to the dominant piney juniper, but it turns a little flinty and sour towards the finish. Finish: Medium."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Well-defined juniper and pine needle lead, joined by bitter orange, lime, and grapefruit, developing rose, wallflower, coriander, and gooseberry, alongside a dry, maritime note from the sugar kelp.

Palate
Refreshing, with bitter juniper and pine balanced by sweet mango, grapefruit, and orange, developing crushed coriander and mixed spice, with a distinctive dry, flinty, maritime quality.

Finish
Long and clean, closing with sweet vanilla and black pepper, alongside a gentle, lingering reminder of the sea.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Fresh oysters and shellfish
• Smoked salmon
• Light seafood dishes
• Citrus-forward appetizers

Cocktail Suggestions

Gin & Tonic — the classic serve, traditionally made with pink grapefruit instead of lemon to lift the juniper and complement the marine note.

Martini — the gin's clean, distinctive character shines with a light touch of dry vermouth.