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Work has begun on the first whisky distillery to be built on Harris – with the aim
of creating 20 local jobs.
The new distillery will be built on infilled land between a Harris Tweed craft workshop
and the ferry berth at Tarbert, to create the “super premium” single malt called
Hearach -
Contractors have started work on the site after Isle of Harris Distillers raised £10 million from a number of public and private investors.
The building should be ready next spring and aims to produce around 300,000 bottles of single malt whisky a year. It will also distil a Harris gin.
Whisky will be made from water piped from lochs in the hills above Tarbert.
Isle of Harris Distillers have raised £10 million to build and fund the distillery from 17 private investors around the world.
The plant will, over time, bring 20 vital jobs to the island, a very important boost to an economically fragile area. It has been a central plank of planning for the distillery from the start, that the project is based not only on commercial success but on the benefit that it can bring to the island and its people.
The distillery has also won the support of the Harris Tweed Authority, lovers of the Outer Hebrides, local politicians and the people of the island themselves, as well as whisky enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
This involvement with Harris and its community has helped to secure significant financial commitment from the public and private sectors, including Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, including its Globalscot network and the backing of these organisations has been crucial to the project.
Director Simon Erlanger pointed out: “We are building the ‘social distillery’ for the island and people of Harris.
“The Hearach single malt will create sustainable employment and economic growth and optimism for the people of Harris – while the spirit of Harris itself will shape the unique character of this new whisky.
“Harris is an elemental place. The way of life in the island has deep roots, its people take time to savour what they enjoy and we believe The Hearach single malt will reflect that.”
The first production of The Hearach will not be available in the shops until it has matured in the distillery’s Harris warehouse for a number of years. A limited number of casks from the first year's production will, however, be made available for sale to individuals. There will also be an early opportunity to form closer ties with the distillery by joining a members’ club.
Anderson Bakewell, Founder and Chairman, had the vision a number of years ago to create Harris's first distillery.
Mr Bakewell said: “One should not underestimate the challenges of getting this venture off the ground, but once airborne, the view of the archipelago of the Outer Hebrides is breathtaking
“What is particularly exciting, at a time when Scotch whisky is enjoying spectacular growth, is the prospect of bringing something of real value both to the industry and the islands.”