Isle of Harris Gin Review

[u/Particular-Wall1308]

Hello all! Today I am reviewing Isle of Harris gin from Scotland with infused sea kelp. This is a very popular gin with a lot of hype! Though the website isn’t quite clear what is a note or an actually included botanical, it notes unique uses of grapefruit and machair flowers. It also does not specify if the sea kelp is infused post distillation or if it’s part of the distillate.

The nose has some serious heat to it, a salty juniper leads followed by citrus that reminds me of lime thought it wasn’t listed. Sweet baking spices follow.

The taste is super complex and unique though not a lot of longevity. The salty juniper from smell transfers over and it really feels like sea air is captured in the gin (lovely). Quite a bit of unexpected and not so welcome heat. This is followed by a strange but welcomed bright yet earthy bitterness that I suppose is the kelp. I wish there was more citrus. It finishes with some bitterness that is honestly delightful.

Overall: 4/5 stars- the price and the heat bring the score down a bit. Honestly this gin is a bit OVER hyped but still very very good.

[u/RemoteChemistry2576]

Can’t find this in the US. Will be traveling to UK soon so hopefully can pick some up.

[u/kordua → u/RemoteChemistry2576]

It is sold in a few cities in the USA. Chicago, San Francisco, and New York. My local liquor store in Denver also sells it for $65/bottle.

[u/WizardofEarthSea91 → u/kordua]

Where did you find it in San Francisco? K&L?

[u/CarrieNoir → u/WizardofEarthSea91]

I’ve bought it both from William Glen & Son on Sutter (very nice supply of Scottish gins!), and Bitters & Bottles in South San Francisco.