New week and a new distillery for us to review.
We would not be surprised if you have not heard of this distillery, as it is a very small operation. For those unfamiliar with it, the Isle of Tiree Distillery is located in West Hynish on the Hebridean island of Tiree, off Scotland’s west coast. Founded by Alain Campbell and Ian Smith, the project was established with the aim of restoring whisky production to an island that had not produced legal whisky for more than 200 years.
Historically known as Tìr an Eòrna ("Land of Barley"), Tiree has a long association with grain cultivation and distilling. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, both legal and illicit whisky production took place across the island before eventually disappearing.
The distillery was established in 2019 and operates on a very small scale. Production uses traditional methods including direct-fired stills, manual processes and on-island maturation.
In January 2025, the distillery released its inaugural single malt Scotch whisky, the first legal whisky distilled on Tiree in over two centuries. The release consisted of 800 bottles, bottled at 47% ABV, matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon, first-fill Oloroso sherry and virgin oak casks.
Alongside whisky production, the company also produces gin and other spirits. Today, the Isle of Tiree Distillery remains one of Scotland's smallest whisky distilleries. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get our hands on the inaugural release, but we do have a single cask release we’re excited to review.
Isle of Tiree Single Cask E7
Region: Highlands
ABV: 45.0%
Price: £124.99
This single cask release from Isle of Tiree Distillery was matured in an ex bourbon quarter cask and bottled at 45% with an outturn of 222 bottles.
Nose
Palate
The palate carries many of the same notes found on the nose, with pine cones sitting alongside honey, white sugar, and chocolate. It is a little too spicy for us on the medium length finish. The mouthfeel is okay given the ABV. Again, it’s not obviously young, but then it’s also not obviously whisky.
Nose (with water)
With water, the gin and tequila notes are dimmed. It is now very honey-forward, though otherwise it is not wildly different. It remains a very unusual and funky dram.
Palate (with water)
Water has not wildly changed the palate. The honey is slightly reduced and there’s now more milk chocolate, but other than that the flavours are fairly similar. The mouthfeel remains the same, as does the finish.
Conclusion
We’re sure some will enjoy this but it’s too far away from what we want and expect from a whisky and feels more reminiscent of a barrel aged gin.
Score: 3/10
Value
Expensive, but we’d personally give them some leeway given they’re such a small distillery.
- 10 - Perfection. One in a million
- 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
- 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
- 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
- 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
- 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
- 4 - Below average. Passable.
- 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
- 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
- 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.
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