Whisky on Islay
Islay is home to ten (and counting) whisky distilleries, each with individual charm and character. The first three, Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin sit on the Three Distillery pathway, just outside of Port Ellen and only a few miles from The Machrie.
Laphroaig
On the Three Distilleries pathway
Founded in 1745 by two brothers Laphroaig has a varied history rife with family rifts and competitive spirit.
Lagavulin
On the Three Distilleries pathway
Suggested to be the oldest distillery on the island with records dating back to 1742 when illicit distilling was first recorded.
Ardbeg
On the Three Distilleries pathway
Famous for selling a 1975 one-of-a-kind cask for £16 million.
Port Ellen
Cutting-edge distillery reborn after four decades of closure, learn more about "experimentation and innovation" at Port Ellen distillery.
Bowmore
10 minute drive
Bowmore is the oldest distillery on the island and a 10 minute drive from The Machrie. On the shores of Loch Indaal, Bowmore is the capital of Islay and home to almost one-third of the island’s population. The Bowmore Whisky Tasting Bar is open from Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 4.30pm.
Bruichladdich
30 minute drive
Bruichladdich’s character is sweet, honeyed and floral with a lemon-butter note and an unmistakable freshness. Since 2000 medium-peated Port Charlotte and the heavily-peated Octomore are now also available. It’s the only distillery to be B Corp accredited, offers guided distillery tasting tours and is about a 30-minute drive from The Machrie.
Kilchoman
35 minute drive
The only farm distillery on Islay and the only distillery on Islay where you can see, touch, smell and taste every part of the whisky-making process, from barley to bottling.
Bunnahabhain
40 minute drive
Pronounced 'Bunn-na-ha-venn' meaning mouth of the river, this distillery is the most remote on the shores of the sound of Islay. It offers various tasting experiences.
Ardnahoe
30 minute drive
One of the newer distilleries on the island with first distillation beginning in 2018, Ardnahoe became the ninth distillery on the island.
Coal Ila
30 minute drive
Overlooking the Paps of Jura and with views across the Sound of Islay, Coal Ila is pronounced 'Cull-Eela' and owned by Johnnie Walker.
A guide to whisky on Islay
All you need to know about peat, flavour, history, sustainability, pronunciation and £16 million casks…