Islay whisky island

If you love it share it!

December 12, 2024

Hig

Islay Whisky

Imagine a Scottish Island, caught in time like Brigadoon, and you will imagine Islay. This tiny offshoot from the ancient mainland punches well above its weight in the world of tourism. The reason? Its famous expertise in whisky production.

Known as “Whisky Island,” this picturesque enclave in the Inner Hebrides is home to nine distilleries. Each contributes a distinct style to the island’s whisky identity. Two of its most iconic distilleries, Bowmore and Laphroaig, offer premium whisky-tasting experiences. These give visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the island’s deep-rooted whisky-making traditions.

Bowmore Cottages

A twenty five minute flight from Glasgow on Scottish airline Loganair and we reach Islay. Next stop are the charming Bowmore Cottages.

Loganair flies to Islay from Glasgow with daily flights. Link https://www.loganair.co.uk/

The Bowmore Distillery Cottages date back to the 1800s and were built for the workmen there. So Mashman’s Distillery would have been for the Mashman. Maltman’s Distillery would have been for the Maltman at the Distillery. The Old Bakery was an old Bakery – the distillery bought them and converted them into luxury cosy accommodation.

Top Islay accommodation

The Mashman’s Cottage

Each cottage has been thoughtfully renovated throughout. A perfect bolthole for travellers seeking comfort, convenience, and authentic Scottish charm. The cottages are a stone’s throw away from the distillery itself. They provide a perfect base for discovering the island’s natural beauty, and world-renowned distilleries. Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast keen to tour iconic distilleries like Bowmore and Laphroaig, or simply looking to relax in a tranquil seaside setting, Bowmore Cottages are the perfect choice.

Each cottage has tasteful decor, blending modern amenities with cosy, traditional Scottish touches. Guests can expect fully equipped kitchens, comfortable living spaces, and private bathrooms, perfect for couples, families, or groups of friends. Many of the cottages offer stunning views over Loch Indaal. From here guests can enjoy vibrant sunsets or watch local seals or, if you’re lucky, even otters! Bowmore’s charming shops, restaurants, and the historic Bowmore Distillery are just a short walk away, so guests will find everything they need within easy reach.

The location of Bowmore Cottages makes it easy to explore all that Islay has to offer. Whisky aficionados will relish exploring some of Scotland’s finest distilleries. Nature lovers can also take advantage of the island’s beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and bird watching opportunities. The Bowmore round church, is an iconic landmark. It is a notable feature at the top of the hill on the main street.

Breakfast can be provided at the lovely Harbour Inn opposite the cottages where you can look out over the loch while enjoying a cooked or continental breakfast.

Islay Whisky – a special spirit

Islay’s unique geographical features, include its peaty soil and maritime climate. Together with its freshwater sources, it creates the perfect environment for crafting world-class single malts. Peat smoke, combined with the salty air of the Atlantic Ocean, gives Islay whiskies their signature smoky, maritime character. While many distilleries on the island share this feature, they each offer a unique interpretation of Islay whisky, particularly Bowmore and Laphroaig.

The Islay Whisky Vault

We start our tour with a visit to the Islay Whisky vault which has an incredible selection of whiskies for sale. Old and rare whiskies collected on Islay are for sale here, plus their own exclusive single cask bottling. Real Scottish whisky has to be more than 40% ABV and casked for at least three years and a day.

Islay Woollen Mill.

Next stop is the Islay woollen Mill – an extraordinary place. The ancient old mill is next to a picturesque stream. It is run by weaver Marcus Covell who has taken over the family business from his parents. First established in 1883, he uses two 1920’s restored looms to create beautiful original designs of tweed. Cloth designed by the Islay woollen mill has featured in Hollywood blockbusters, including Braveheart, Forrest Gump, Rob Roy, Warhorse, and more recently The Big Friendly Giant. Most of the cloth is sold to firms in England, Scotland, France and Germany, and much goes into the production of traditional jackets, breeks, caps and waistcoats, as well as throws, wraps, scarves and rugs – all sold in the on site shop.

Bowmore Distillery

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest distillery on Islay and one of the oldest in Scotland. Located in the heart of Bowmore village, it overlooks the stunning Loch Indaal, making it a scenic and historical landmark.

The Bowmore distillery is famous for balancing Islay’s smoky character with a softer, more elegant style. Bowmore whiskies are typically known for their complex layers of smoke, fruit, and floral notes, often accented by sherry or bourbon cask aging.

Bowmore Whisky Tasting Experience

At Bowmore, the tasting experience is deeply intertwined with history. Visitors are treated to a tour of the distillery, learning about its traditional methods, including its use of Islay’s peated barley and the unique maturation process in the distillery’s No. 1 Vaults, one of the oldest maturation warehouses in the world.

During a typical Bowmore tasting session, guests sample a range of expressions, from the classic Bowmore 12 Year Old, with its balanced flavours of smoke, honey, and citrus, to rarer, more exclusive releases. Tasting these whiskies allows you to experience the evolution of flavours as they age and mature.

Our guide takes us through the alchemy that produces this special beverage. We learn about the barley grist, the sugary wort and the Oregon pine wash backs, where the fermentation begins. Next we see the whisky stills and the different types of casks used to mature the whisky. The Bowmore experience is as much about the atmosphere as the whisky itself. Whisky casks can be made of different types of wood which infuse different flavours into the spirit. T he distillery’s rich history and breathtaking views of Loch Indaal create an unforgettable experience for whisky lovers. Bowmore whisky tours are available from £25 per person

The Aston Martin Experience

‘Captivating Islay,’ is a new immersive experience as part of the partnership between Scotch distillery Bowmore and luxury car brand Aston Martin. Guests explore the island in a chauffeur-driven Aston Martin DBX Bowmore Edition – a bespoke ultra-luxury SUV inspired by Islay and Bowmore.

The car is in ‘Bowmore Blue’, with copper inlays from the brand’s original whisky stills. The interior has an embroidered map of Islay in the rear headrest cushions, with Bowmore tweed and copper cupholders repurposed from a still.

Lunch is at the island’s Bridgend Hotel, followed by a tour of the distillery and the opportunity to hand-fill a bottle straight from the cask using a traditional copper valinch. The single malt, which has been maturing in the Bowmore Vaults since 1998, has been selected for the experience by the master distiller. The experience is at £800 (US$1,000) per person and is proving very popular. One Japanese client has done the tour three times already! More about the Aston Martin Experience here

Islay whisky – the Laphroaig Distillery

Just a short distance away lies Laphroaig, one of the most distinctive and bold distilleries on Islay. Founded in 1815, Laphroaig has earned a reputation for producing some of the peatiest, most medicinal whiskies in the world. Its signature iodine, seaweed, and medicinal flavours are polarizing, but deeply loved by connoisseurs seeking an intense Islay experience.

Laphroaig Whisky Tasting Experience

A visit to Laphroaig is a journey into the heart of Islay’s smoky, peaty essence. The distillery offers a variety of tours, ranging from basic tastings to more immersive experiences, such as the “Water to Whisky” tour, where participants can fill their own bottle straight from the cask.

Laphroaig’s tasting sessions feature their core range, including the iconic Laphroaig 10 Year Old, famous for its powerful peat smoke, and the Laphroaig Quarter Cask, which brings a richer, oakier dimension to the signature flavour profile. Visitors also have the chance to try rare bottlings, gaining an understanding of how aging and cask influence shape the whisky’s intense flavours.

We see how the barley is malted and roasted. Peat is only used to finish off the smoking process in recognition of this valuable and finite fossil fuel.

An added highlight of the Laphroaig experience is the “Friends of Laphroaig” programme, where visitors can claim a small plot of land on Islay, making them honorary custodians of the distillery’s legacy. Laphroaigs Whisky tastings are available from £18

Islay Encounters

Islay has a stunning moorland landscape and is home to a rich diversity of wildlife. We were lucky enough to take a countryside walk with naturalist, Tom Dunne, from Islay Encounters. We walked to the Laphroaig water source and were lucky enough to see Red and Fallow Deer, a white tailed Eagle and even a Golden eagle on our walk (through binoculars!) Tours start from about £50 per person

Conclusion

Islay whisky is special. Bowmore and Laphroaig showcase two distinct aspects of Islay’s whisky heritage. Bowmore offers a refined, balanced take on Islay whisky, while Laphroaig delivers an uncompromisingly bold, smoky almost medicinal punch. Together, these distilleries exemplify the diversity and richness of Islay’s whisky-making tradition,. This makes the island an essential destination for any whisky enthusiast.

Fact Box

Loganair

Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, serves over 1.4 million customers each year across a diverse route network across the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Denmark and Norway. Operating lifeline routes across the Scottish Highlands and Islands to the beaches of Barra and the global connective hub at London Heathrow, Loganair’s versatile fleet has gone from strength to strength with 62 years of aviation experience.”