Isle of Tiree Distillery has launched its inaugural whisky, the first legal single malt whisky produced on the Hebridean island of Tiree in over two centuries. 

Founded in 2012 by trad folk musicians, Alain Campbell and Ian Smith, Tiree Whisky Company Ltd aims to preserve and promote Tiree’s whisky heritage, whilst reviving distilling on the island. 

Once known as Tìr an Eòrna, which translates from Gaelic to the ‘Land of Barley’, Tiree was home to no less than fifty illicit distilleries before the 1800s. However - unlike other islands - Tiree never re-established a distillery until 2019 when Alain and Ian lit the stills of the Isle of Tiree Distillery for the first time. 

Isle of Tiree Distillery is one of Scotland’s smallest whisky distilleries which uses traditional whisky production methods to produce 2,000 litres of pure alcohol per year (LPA). Each part of the process is handcrafted using methods of the past but with an enthusiastic vision for the future of the island.

Ian Smith, co-founder of Tiree Whisky Company says: 

“This is an important moment in the island’s history as we reconnect with an industry that was once such an important part of island life. As well as providing local employment, we hope that our distillery will encourage visitors from all over the world to come to our home on Tiree.”

Alain Campbell, co-founder of Tiree Whisky Company, added:

“We created our distillery to bring whisky production back to the island and this will be the first single malt whisky from Tiree in over 200 years. The distilling heritage of our island has inspired us since we were kids and we are immensely proud to bring whisky back to Tiree. We have strived to keep our production methods true to our ancestors - we use most traditional methods along with grain, water, fire and gravity - that’s all we need.”

“We hand mash laureate malted barley in mesh mash bags - hoisted high on wooden blocks to lauter clear the wort into our oak mash tun. This is followed by an extra-long fermentation in our oak washbacks. First distillations take place in our wide copper washstills, followed by carefully distilling the spirit in our 300L spirit still. And then age our whisky in small casks and our maturation happens right on the rocky Tiree coastline.”

This first release of Isle of Tiree Single Malt Scotch Whisky is limited to only 800 bottles and retails at £199.99. Last year, an initial pre-sale of 400 bottles sold out in less than two hours, meaning those who want to get their hands on this first release will need to act quickly. 

The first 10 bottles will be reserved and sold at auction from the 31st of January.

10% of profits from the auction will be donated to local island charities.

Isle of Tiree Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting notes (provided by Caroline Dewar):

Appearance: Pale, glowing amber with tawny highlights. Sherry cask and virgin oak influences showing in colour. Tears swift and close at first showing youth, then a little stickier and slower. 

Nose: Candy sweetness from the bottle. In the glass, fresh with light vine fruit, a touch of wax and some honey; earthy with some sweet spices including ginger and cinnamon. A little toffee, sweet oak and soft dark sugar. With water, a little less fruit and more wax at first. More ginger; wax floor polish; spicy florals. A faint waft of Fisherman's Friend and varnish. Savoury spices too. From the dregs in the glass, more waxiness and aromatic spices and florals. 

Palate: Medium mouth feel, slight viscosity. Spicy, waxy, peppery and a little vinous with a bit of struck match and varnish-like fumes catching in the throat. Drier, herbal notes and some ginger.  

Finish: Medium length with tingly spices and herbs. Slightly mouth-drying but also sweet wood notes and wood tannins.

47% ABV