Since all of their releases have been fairly young, it's hard to pin them down with a flavor profile now. But we do know some things. They are ageing their Whisky in a combination of Sherry and Bourbon casks. So we will expect to find hints of butter, raisin, and sweet corn with rancio influences. A
nd most Whiskies aged on the western shores have an influence from the sea - sea salt and pepper - and there is no reason to expect differently here. We look forward to it.
Abhainn Dearg
Flavor Spiraltm
caramel
pear
oak
sherry
malted barley
fruit
hay
burnt
bitter
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Abhainn Dearg
When they opened their doors in 2008, they had the distinction of becoming the westernmost distillery in Scotland.
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Abhainn Dearg means "Red River" in Gaelic. They are a proud new distillery located on Lewis Island, in the Outer Hebrides. In fact, they are the first production distillery in the Outer Hebrides Islands since 1829, when local Morays banished the practice from the island.
Though founded as a legal entity in 2008, the first spirits were not sold and exported until 2010. As you might imagine, a distillery founded so recently does not have 30 YO bottles for sale. But they are working on it.
All of theircurrent releases are "new spirit" by Scotch standards, being aged three years or younger. But they are now stocking away some casks for the future.
Production is still very limited -- they only have one wash and one spirit still -- and the quality is good, so they tend to sell out each production release fairly quickly. They are holding back now. There will be no more bottling until 2018, when they release a fully mature 10YO single malt, for the very first time.
Mark Tayburn is the happy proprietor (he goes by "Marko") and he will be glad to show you around, if you can make your way out to his island's windswept shores.
Distillery info:
CountryUnited Kingdom, Scotland
RegionIslands
Established2008
OwnerIndependent
TypeSingle malt
No. of stills1 wash, 1 spirit
Visitor centerYes
StatusActive
AddressAbhainn Dearg Distillery, Carnish Isle of Lewis, HS2 9EX United Kingdom