Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd. The Hearach Croft Strength

Croft Strength is the Isle of Harris Distillery's higher-strength take on The Hearach, bottled at 52% rather than the standard 46%. Named for the island's crofting tradition, it gives the young malt more weight and is the most accessible bottle here on price.

The Tarbert distillery opened in 2015 as a Social Distillery, built to keep work and people on an Outer Hebrides island, and its lightly peated Hearach was the first single malt made on Harris. Matured in ex-Bourbon, Oloroso and Fino casks, the three woods give the spirit fruit, dried-fruit depth and a dry edge.

Bottled at 52%, non-chill-filtered and natural in colour. The ex-Bourbon gives vanilla and coconut, the Oloroso fig and raisin, the Fino a dry nuttiness, with gentle smoke threading through. The higher strength lifts the coastal, mineral character. Punchy and good value.