The Isle of Harris Distillers company has won £1.7m in backing from major investment bank HSBC to support its growth and to invest in its single malt whisky stock. 

Still less than two years old, the distillery already employs 30 people and aims to create a number of “additional sustainable jobs” as the production of whisky increases. 

The first batch of The Hearach whisky should be ready for bottling from late 2020. 

Neal Tully, relationship director at HSBC, said: “The team at Harris Distillers instantly impressed us with their innovative approach to creating spirits and social ethos. 

“We hope with the wider availability of the single malt we’ll see the business grow and also attract even more tourists to the distillery and Harris.” 

The distillery has already had a worldwide success by producing the Isle of Harris Gin to support the funding of stocks laid down for single malt whisky production, the company’s primary focus. 

Sales of gin, using a pioneering and much-admired direct-to-consumer strategy, have surpassed significantly the company’s initial expectations and helped to grow the reputation of the distillery in the spirits industry and amongst consumers.   

Neal Tully said HSBC was “delighted to be working with this fantastic business and supporting their future growth aspirations.” 

The finance was allocated from HSBC’s national £10 billion SME fund to actively support UK SMEs.  

Simon Erlanger, managing director of Isle of Harris Distillers, said: “HSBC recognised our mission to be a catalyst for economic growth for the island and to create even more sustainable jobs for local people. 

“We’re committed to Harris, whose water, weather and people are integral to the overall production of our high quality spirits.”