Isle of Tiree distillery produces first single malt whisky in over 200 years

A distillery has launched the first legal single malt whisky produced on the the Isle of Tiree in more than 200 years.

One of Scotland’s smallest whisky distilleries, the Isle of Tiree Distillery, launched its inaugural whisky on Thursday.

The distillery was founded in 2012 by trad folk musicians, Alain Campbell and Ian Smith, and aims to preserve and promote Tiree’s whisky heritage, whilst reviving distilling on the island.

Previously known as Tìr an Eòrna, which translates to the Land of Barley, Tiree was once home to around fifty illicit distilleries before the 1800s.

Alain Campbell and Ian Smith of the Isle of Tiree Distillery. Supplied

However, unlike nearby islands, Tiree didn’t re-establish a distillery until 2019, when Alain and Ian lit the stills of the Isle of Tiree Distillery for the first time.

Ian Smith, co-founder of 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.”

The single malt scotch has a pale appearance, with glowing amber with tawny highlights, and sherry cask and virgin oak influences showing in the colour.

It is said to have a waxy and peppery taste with a finish of tingly spices and herbs.

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.”

The first release of the Isle of Tiree Single 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.

The first ten bottles will be reserved and sold at auction from January 31, and 10% of profits from the auction will be donated to local island charities.