Islay, Scotland Distillery Guide

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The Landof Whisky A visitor guide to one ofScotlands five whisky regions.

Islay

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The practice of distilling whiskyhas been lovingly perfectedthroughout Scotland for centuriesand began as a way of turning

rain-soaked barley into a drinkablespirit, using the fresh waterfrom Scotlands crystal-clearsprings, streams and burns.

To this day, distilleries across thecountry continue the traditionof using pure spring water fromthe same sources that have beenused for centuries. From the source of the water andthe shape of the still to the woodof the cask used to mature thespirit, there are many factorsthat make Scotch whisky sowonderfully different and variedfrom distillery to distillery.

No two are the same; each hasits own proud heritage, uniquesetting and its own way of doingthings that has evolved and been

rened over time. Paying a visit toa distillery lets you discover moreabout the environment and thepeople who shape the taste of theScotch whisky you enjoy. So, whenyoure sitting back and relaxingwith a dram of our most famousexport at the end of your distillerytour, youll be appreciating theessence of Scotland as it swirlsin your glass.

Home to the greatest concentrationof distilleries in the world,Scotland is divided into vedistinct whisky regions . Theseare Islay, Speyside, Highland,Lowland and Campbeltown.

Whisky

Find out more information about whisky, how it s made,what foods to pair it with and more:www.visitscotland.com/whiskyFor more information on travelling in Scotland:www.visitscotland.com/travelSearch and book accommodation:www.visitscotland.com/accommodation

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BRUICHLADDICH

BUNNAHABHAIN

LAPHROAIG

BOWMORE

LAGAVULIN

CAOL ILA

ARDBEG

KILCHOMAN

Islay is one of many small islandsoff Scotlands west coast butit certainly stands out from thecrowd. Just 25 miles in length,its rocky bays and sheltered inletshouse eight active distilleries.It is perhaps only fair then thatindustrious Islay has long been

crowned Scotlands whisky island.

Most of Islays original distilleries some long since lost to history started as farm distilleries,retreating to secluded glens andcaves when excise duty wasrst introduced on whisky in the17th century. In actual fact, theexciseman didnt dare set foot onIslay for over 150 years becauseof the fearsome reputation of theislanders, who were regardedat the time as wild and barbaric.Nothing could be further from thetruth nowadays, with Islay beingwell noted for its warm hospitality.

According to legend, monks rstbrought the art of whisky distillingto the island from Ireland whichon a good day you can see fromIslays south west coast. Onarrival, they found it to be morethan suitable for the purpose ofdistilling aqua vitae the water oflife thanks to its abundance ofpeat, fresh spring water and

barley grown by local crofters.

The former is perhaps theelement that most dramaticallydistinguishes Islays unique singlemalts from the rest of Scotlandswhisky producing regions. Burnedin kilns to dry the malted barley

used in the distillation process, theislands peat has been formedover millions of years, rich indecaying mosses, heather andlichens and very different incomposition to mainland peat.

Frequently lashed by Atlanticstorms, salty spray blown over theisland for centuries has penetratedthe deep layers of peat andseeped into the warehousesof maturing casks, ultimatelyaffecting the taste and aromaof the dormant Scotch whisky.The resulting malts are pungent,powerful and characterful.Typically, Islay single malts arerenowned for their smokinesson the nose and palate with faintnotes of sea air and seaweed.

Browse the listings in this guideto nd out more information aboutthe distilleries in the Islay region,how to visit them or simply whichof their drams to sample.

Islay

Be sure to check out our guides for the other four whisky regions:Campbeltown, Highland, Lowland and Speyside.

www.visitscotland.com/distilleries-guides

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ArdbegDistillery Tours avail able

LOCATION

Port Ellen.

HOW TO GET THERE

Visit the island by air or ferry. Youcould even take your own carto get around or simply use theislands fantastic taxi companies.

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1815, Ardbeg Distilleryis one of Islays oldest whisky

distilleries. Ardbeg whiskies aredeep, complex and steeped inpeat smoke, a distinctive propertythat has come to characterisemany Islay whiskies, due to theabundance of peat on the island.

Although Islay is only 25 mileslong, it boasts no fewer than eightdistilleries (with two pending),making it easy for you to go ona whisky exploration betweenthem. At Ardbeg Distillery you canchoose from four different tourswith tastings, starting from 5 for thestandard Ardbeg Tour and Tasting.

If youve already visited a fewwhisky distilleries, and wantsomething a bit different, Ardbegoffer a great Deconstructing theDram tour from April to October,priced at 35. Use all your sensesto deconstruct Ardbegs famouswhiskies on this two hour in-depthtour, from learning about Ardbegsproduction process to taking partin a fun nosing quiz. Along the wayyoull also sample some of Ardbegsnest whiskies, including a caskstrength tasting in the warehouse.

OPENING TIMES

Opening times vary.

SAMPLE

Ardbeg Ten Years Old Ardbeg Uigeadail Ar dbeg Corryvreckan Ar dbeg Supernova Ar dbeg Blasda

WHERE TO BUY

Available at most major retailersand online.

Looking across elds tothe Ardbeg Distillery

BowmoreDistillery Tours available

LOCATION

Bowmore.

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to t he Isle of Islay, dailyferries operated by CaledonianMacBrayne depart from Kennacraigon the mainland to Port Ellen/PortAskaig. Alternatively, you can yfrom Glasgow or Oban.

OVERVIEW

Bowmore is the rst recordeddistillery on the Isle of Islay andone of the oldest in the wholeof Scotland, dating back to 1779.Like other Islay malts, Bowmore isrenowned for its peaty smokiness,the result of traditionally smokingthe malt using peat-red kilns. Thedistillers keep to the time-and-tested methods, and the processhas scarcely been changed in over200 years of production.

Lying on the south eastern shoreof Loch Indaal, the distillery useswater sourced from the River

Laggan to produce a wide varietyof whiskies of different ages anddifferent nishes. Thanks to itslocation, some of the distinctcharacteristics of the Bowmoremalts include smoke, salt andseaweed. Excess heat from thedistillation process is used towarm the waters of Bowmorevillages nearby public swimmingpool which is housed in one of thedistillerys former warehouses.

OPENING TIMES

Opening times vary pleasecheck the website.

SAMPLE

Bowmore 12 Year Old

Bowmore 15 Year Old Bowmore 18 Year Old Bowmore 25 Year Old Bowmore Legend Bowmore Small Batch

WHERE TO BUY

Available online and fromsome retailers.

Bunnahabhain Distillery Tours available

LOCATION

Port Askaig.

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to t he Isle of Islay, dailyferries operated by CaledonianMacBrayne depart from Kennacraigon the mainland to Port Ellen/PortAskaig. Alternatively, you can yfrom Glasgow or Oban.

OVERVIEW

Bunnahabhain has been part ofIslays whisky heritage since 1881.Nestled into the north east tip ofthe island, it overlooks the Soundof Islay and the neighbouring Isleof Jura. The name Bunnahabhainderives from Gaelic word formouth of the river and the distillerydraws its water from the nearbyMargadale Spring. This remotedistillery produces a ne rangeof malts which are not quite asheavily peated as other Islaymalts, and with each bottling somedistinctive characteristics. As well

as Bunnahabhain single malt, manycasks produced in the distillery willbe used in Black Bottle, a blendedwhisky which features a quantity ofspirit from every distillery on Islay.

OPENING TIMES

Tours are by appointment only,please see website for moreinformation. The shop is openMonday to Friday 10am 4pm.

SAMPLE

B unnahabhai n 12 Year Old Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old B unnahabhai n 40 Year Old Bunnahabhain Ceobanach Bunnahabhain Eirigh

Na Greine Bunnahab hain Toiteach

WHERE TO BUY

Both these bottlings and otherBunnahabhain whiskies areavailable to purchase from anumber of retail outlets and fromthe website shop.

Looking along the coastline toBunnahabhain Distillery on Islay

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BruichladdichDistillery Tours avail able

LOCATION

Bruichladdich.

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to the Isle of Islay, dailyferries operated by CaledonianMacBrayne depart fromKennacraig on the mainlandto Port Ellen/Port Askaig.Alternatively, you can y fromGlasgow or Oban.

OVERVIEW

In a sheltered spot on the shoresof Loch Indaal lies Bruichladdich,home to a distillery which datesback to 1881. Bruichladdichdistillerys operation and ethos

blends an interesting mix of oldand new; much of the equipmentused dates back to the Victorianera but this distillery is famed for

taking innovative approaches whenit comes to the whisky-makingprocess. Self-styled as progressiveHebridean distillers, Bruichladdichhas released the Octomore, anexperimental whisky made fromsuper heavily peated barley andsaid to be the most heavily peatedsingle malt whisky in the world. Aswell as whisky, the distillery startedproducing gin, named The Botanist,in 2011.

In addition to standard daily tours,the Warehouse Experience offerssomething a bit special. Participantsget the chance to try three singlemalt whiskies which are notavailable for general sale straightfrom the cask in the setting of thecathedral-like maturation room.

OPENING TIMES

Opening times vary -please see website.

SAMPLE

Bruichladdich The ClassicLaddie Scotch Barley

Bruichladdich Port CharlotteHeavily Peated Scottish Barley

Bruichladdich Octomore 06.1 5Year Old Scottish Barley

WHERE TO BUY

These single malt and otherBruichladdich whiskies areavailable to purchase froma number of retail outletsand online.

Looking across the water toBruichladdich Distillery on Islay

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Caol IlaDistillery Tours available

LOCATION

Port Askaig.

HOW TO GET THERE

Visit the island by ferry or by planeto Islay Airport from GlasgowInternational Airport. Get aroundusing the local bus services or hirea taxi or car once here.

OVERVIEW

Located just north of Port Askaig,Caol Ila (pronounced Cull-eela) isset in a sheltered bay surroundedby gorgeous Hebridean scenery.It is the biggest distillery in Islay,producing a jaw-dropping excessof 2 million litres of spirit per year,and boasts a whisky-makingheritage that stretches back to1846. Back in the day steamboats,known as puffers, would delivercargoes of malting barley, coal andempty casks to the distillery. Theywould return with these casks fullof whisky to the mainland throughthe Sound of Islay, the straightwhich separates the island fromneighbouring Jura.

Upon arrival, absorb theoutstanding panoramic viewsacross the Sound of Islay to thePaps of Jura, before taking abehind-the-scenes tour of thedistillery. Watch the distillers hardat work tending the six copper stillson one of three tours which inviteyou to witness rst-hand the time-tested process behind the spiritproduced at Caol Ila.

Discover how Islay peat imbuesthe whisky distilled here withits distinctive, smoky character,sample a selection of its differentages and maturations, and discoverthe unexpected avourings ofits nest malts during a special

tasting session accompanied withdelectable chocolates a trulyunique whisky-tasting experience.

OPENING TIMES

Opening times vary -please see website.

SAMPLE

Caol Ila 8 Year Old Caol Ila 12 Year Old Caol Ila 18 Year Old Caol Ila 25 Year Old Caol Ila Cask Strength Caol Ila Dstillers Edition Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve

WHERE TO BUY

Available at Caol Ila DistilleryShop, most major retailers andonline.

OTHER NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

IN ISLAY

Machrie Golf Links RSPB Loch Gruinart Reserve Dunyvaig Castle Cultoon Stone Circle Persabus Pottery Ceramic Caf Bowmore Port Ellen Port Askaig Port Charlotte

Port Askaig on Islay

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KilchomanDistillery Tours avail able

LOCATION

Bruichladdich.

HOW TO GET THERE

Visit Islay by air or ferry. Takeyour own car on the ferry to getaround or simply use the islandstaxi companies.

OVERVIEW

Opened in 2005, KilchomanDistillery is the youngest of allthe Islay distilleries and was therst distillery to be establishedon the island for over 124 years.Visit this authentic farm distilleryand discover how it managesevery stage of the whisky makingprocess on-site they even growtheir own barley on the farmsfertile land.

Join your expert tour guide asyou journey through every stageof the production process, youcan even see how Kilchoman malttheir own barley on the farmstraditional malting room oor.

While other distilleries rely onspecialist malting companies tosupply them with malted barley fortheir whiskies, Kilchoman is oneof the few distilleries in Scotlandwho malt their own barley on-site, meaning you can start your

tour right at the beginning of thewhisky making process.

Tours range from the standardDistillery Tour (6), which includestwo free drams, to the ManagersTour (30), where you will learnabout what it takes to run Islaysfarm distillery from one of themanagers themselves, beforetasting a unique expressionstraight from the cask.

OPENING TIMES

Open all year thoughopening times vary.

SAMPLE

Machir Bay 100% Islay Loch Gorm

WHERE TO BUY

Specialist retailers and online.

Looking over to the lighthouseat Port Charlotte on Islay

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LagavulinDistillery Tours avail able

LOCATION

Port Ellen.

HOW TO GET THERE

Islay sits off the south west coastof Scotland. Daily ferries operatedby Caledonian MacBrayne departfrom Kennacraig on the mainland

to Port Ellen and Port Askaig.Alternatively, you can y fromGlasgow or Oban.

OVERVIEW

Lagavulin is one of three distilleriesthat sit on the southern coast ofIslay. Much like its neighboursLaphroaig and Ardbeg, the siteoccupies the shores of its ownsecluded cove, Lagavulin Bay. Asis also the case for many of thedistilleries on Islay, its whitewashedstorehouse is proudly emblazonedwith the distillery name, which canbe seen from the decks of thearriving ferry from the mainland.

The tradition of whisky distillingstarted on the spot where thecurrent distillery buildings standlong before it was built. As far backas 1742, there was anywhere up

to 11 illicit stills making whisky inLagavulin Bay. The current distillery,sitting in the shadow of the ruinedDunyvaig Castle once theseat of the Lord of the Isles wasntbuilt until 1816. The hallmark ofIslay whiskies is peat smoke, andLagavulin is not one to shy awayfrom this distinct characteristic. Itssignature expression, Lagavulin 16Year Old, is appreciated the worldover for its intense peat smokenotes a superb accompaniment toa ne blue cheese.

OPENING TIMES

All year round except Christmasand New Years Day with seasonalopening hours.

SAMPLE

Lagavulin 12 Year Old Lagavulin 16 Year Old Lagavulin Distillers Edition

WHERE TO BUY

Available at most majorretailers and online.

LaphroaigDistillery Tours available

LOCATION

Port Ellen.

HOW TO GET THERE

Islay sits off the south west coastof Scotland. Daily ferries operatedby Caledonian MacBrayne departfrom Kennacraig on the mainlandto Port Ellen and Port Askaig.Alternatively, you can y fromGlasgow or Oban.

OVERVIEW

Said to be the denitive tasteof Islay, Laphroaig (pronouncedLa-froyg) has been distilling on

Scotlands whisky island for twocenturies. Perhaps the smokiest ofthe Islay whiskies, it uses hand-cutpeat from the nearby Glenmachriebogs to dry malted barley in on-sitekilns.

Did you know that Laphroaig wasthe only spirit not banned duringProhibition in 1920s America? It wassold as a medicinal spirit becauseof its iodine taste, a characteristicderived from the moss and roots inthe peat.

From March to September, visitorscan help the distillery staff cut thepeat by hand at Glenmachrie readyfor drying as part of the Water toWhisky Experience tour, one ofseveral different tours operatedby the distillery staff.

The taste of Laphroaig also has alot to do with its location. Nestledin a cove from which it gets itsname (translated from Gaelic as thebeautiful hollow by the broad bay),it is in the direct path of strong saltysea winds from the Atlantic Ocean.

The moisture in the air gets into thewarehouse walls and casks, whichgives the whisky a maritime tasteprole.

OPENING TIMES

All year round except Christmasand New Years Day with seasonalopening hours.

SAMPLE

La phroaig 10 Year Old La phroaig 18 Year Old Laphroaig 25 Year Old Laph roaig Triple Wood Laphroaig Quarter Cask

WHERE TO BUY

Available at most majorretailers and online.

Lagavulin Photograph James Gray (Migrated) [GFDL ]

Laphraoig Photograph Ayack(Own Work) [GFDL]

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Be sure to check out our guidesfor the other four regions .

Driving around Scotland is a great way to see more of the country but before you headout exploring by car, there are a few rules and regulations you should be aware of:www.visitscotland.com/travel/information/driving-in-scotland

Drink responsibly: nd useful information about drinking: www.drinksmarter.org