Isle of Harris Gin 750ML

Isle of Harris Gin 750ML is a 45% ABV Scottish gin distilled on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides using locally harvested sugar kelp as its signature botanical. A Gold medal winner at the World Gin Awards 2021 in Scotland's London Dry Gin category, this expression has earned recognition across three continents, collecting four Gold medals at major international competitions including the Global Gin Masters 2022 and London Spirits Competition 2022.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland  |  London Dry Style  |  Distillery: Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd

Production & Heritage

Isle of Harris Distillers operates from the remote Isle of Harris in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, where the distillery serves as an economic anchor for the local community. The gin is produced in small batches using a copper pot still affectionately named "The Dotach." Nine botanicals define the recipe — juniper, coriander seeds, cubebs, cassia bark, angelica root, bitter orange peel, orris root powder, liquorice root, and the defining ingredient, sugar kelp harvested from the surrounding Atlantic waters. During distillation, the team makes the deliberate and costly decision to discard the heads — the first portion of spirit off the still, which runs high in strength but lower in flavor complexity. Only the purest heart cut is retained, a practice the distillery credits for the gin's exceptionally smooth and luxurious character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Well-defined juniper leads immediately, layered with pine needles and a burst of fresh citrus — bitter orange, lime, and grapefruit arrive in quick succession. Beneath the brighter top notes, a subtle green herbaceousness hints at the complexity to come.

Taste: The palate opens with crisp juniper balanced against sweet fruit notes of mango, grapefruit, and orange. A complex floral mid-palate emerges with rose, wallflowers, and crushed green herbs alongside coriander and gooseberry, all underpinned by mixed spice. The sugar kelp becomes apparent as the gin develops, adding dry maritime depth and a savory richness that sets this apart from typical London Dry expressions.

Finish: Warming and moderately long, with soft, bright spices carrying through to the close. The kelp-driven savory quality lingers alongside gentle juniper, leaving a clean but texturally rich mouthfeel.

How to Drink Harris Gin

Neat or with a single cube of ice rewards the most nuance — the sugar kelp's savory character unfolds slowly and benefits from unhurried sipping. A splash of chilled tonic and a grapefruit twist makes for a classic long serve that highlights the citrus-maritime interplay.

• Gin & Tonic: The kelp-driven salinity pairs naturally with a dry tonic and a strip of grapefruit zest, amplifying the gin's coastal character.
• Martini: The heart-cut purity and 45% ABV give this gin enough backbone to stand up to dry vermouth without losing its botanical complexity.
• White Negroni: Substituting Suze and Lillet Blanc for Campari and sweet vermouth lets the floral and maritime notes shine in a bittersweet framework.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns mainstream bottles
• Curating a home bar shelf that represents distinctive regional spirits
• Hosting a gin tasting focused on terroir-driven or maritime expressions
• Commemorating travel to the Scottish Highlands and Islands

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Harris Gin taste like? Harris Gin leads with pronounced juniper and fresh citrus, then transitions into a distinctive savory, maritime quality contributed by sugar kelp, balanced with floral notes, mixed spice, and tropical fruit like mango and gooseberry.

How does Harris Gin compare to Monkey 47? Both are premium, botanically complex gins that command strong followings, but they diverge in character — Monkey 47 uses 47 botanicals at 47% ABV for a dense, layered Black Forest profile, while Harris Gin achieves its complexity from just nine botanicals at 45% ABV, leaning into maritime and coastal flavors via sugar kelp. Reviewers frequently mention the two together, with some placing Harris Gin just behind Monkey 47 as a personal favorite.

Is Harris Gin good for sipping neat? Yes — the distillery's practice of discarding the heads and bottling only the heart cut results in a notably smooth spirit at 45% ABV that rewards neat exploration, especially for those who appreciate savory, maritime-leaning gins.

Where is Harris Gin made? Harris Gin is distilled at Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, a remote island chain off Scotland's northwest coast. The sugar kelp used in the recipe is hand-harvested from the surrounding Atlantic waters.

What foods pair well with Harris Gin? Fresh oysters and raw shellfish echo the gin's maritime salinity. Smoked salmon brings out the herbal and citrus notes. Aged goat cheese complements the floral and spice mid-palate. Seared scallops with citrus butter mirror the gin's balance of sweet and savory. Lemon tart or grapefruit sorbet aligns with the bright citrus character on the nose.

What sizes does Harris Gin come in? The standard expression is widely available in the 750ml bottle size.

Is Harris Gin worth the price? Harris Gin positions firmly in the premium gin tier, above mass-produced London Drys but competing alongside other artisanal, small-batch expressions like Monkey 47 and Hendrick's limited releases. The costly heart-cut-only distillation, hand-harvested local kelp, and multiple international Gold medals support its standing at this price point.

Why Harris Gin?

What separates this expression from the crowded premium gin field is a genuine sense of place that goes beyond marketing. The sugar kelp — hand-harvested from Harris's own coastline — introduces a savory, maritime dimension that most gins simply cannot replicate. The deliberate sacrifice of the heads during distillation is an expensive choice for a small-batch operation, but it produces a heart cut of uncommon smoothness at a robust 45% ABV. Four Gold medals across competitions on three continents confirm that the international spirits community recognizes what the Outer Hebrides put in this bottle.