Isle of Harris Distillery unveils ‘tidal strength’ gin and ‘croft strength’ whisky

From 2 July, if you’re passing through Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Glasgow airports, keep your eyes peeled for two exclusive bottlings that really capture what Harris is all about. We’re talking about Isle of Harris Tidal Strength Gin at 49.5% ABV and The Hearach Croft Strength single malt at a proper 52% ABV.

Now, what’s particularly interesting here is that this is the first time they’ve tinkered with their gin recipe since 2015 – that’s a decade of leaving well enough alone before deciding to push things further. The Tidal Strength keeps all those lovely maritime characteristics we know and love – that hand-harvested sugar kelp from the local sea lochs is still there – but cranking it up to 49.5% has really lifted the botanical complexity. They’re positioning this squarely for cocktail enthusiasts, especially martini lovers, promising extra dryness from the juniper and more pronounced fruit and floral notes with that distinctive maritime finish.

The real star for us whisky folk, though, has to be The Hearach Croft Strength. Taking inspiration from Harris’s traditional crofting heritage, this robust expression showcases their flagship single malt at full strength. We’re looking at 100% Scottish barley, distilled with soft Outer Hebridean water, and matured in that sweet spot combination of ex-bourbon barrels with oloroso and fino sherry butts. Lightly peated, non-chill filtered, no artificial colouring – all the boxes ticked for the purists among us.

The tasting notes sound promising: soft smoke, caramel, and poached fruits on the nose, with spice, wood, and fruit interplay on the palate, finishing with that mellow sweetness we want to linger.

This move comes through their new partnership with SipWell Brands for global travel retail distribution. At £35 for the gin and £65 for the whisky, they’re positioning these as accessible premiums for the duty-free market.

It’s a smart play, really – giving travellers something genuinely exclusive while showcasing the elemental character of Harris that makes their spirits so distinctive.