Isle of Harris 'The Hearach' Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

The first single malt release From the Isle of Harris Distillery (you may be familiar with their lovely gin), The Hearach is a combination of malt matured in ex-bourbon, ex-Oloroso, and ex-Fino casks and is bottled without chill filtration or color added at 92 proof.  The nose opens with mild smoke joined by clove honey and a hint of caramel.  On the palate, flavors of sweet and smoky peat, toasted malt, apples drizzled in honey, and a hint of sweet cream appear before finishing with seacoast salinity and a pop of leather.  Terroir driven, nuanced, and balanced, this is an enjoyable and promising first release from a new distillery.