Things to see and do Islay

If you want to vary your visits and discover the life of Islay, this small local museum is perfect. Located in an old church in Port Charlotte, it traces the history of the island with nearly 3,000 objects and a few thousand photographs, dating back 12,000 years. The museum brings together a rare collection of objects, books, photographs and stories illustrating life on Islay from prehistoric times to the present day. The Victorian and Edwardian eras are particularly well represented. The museum has its own store and library.

Distillery established in 2005, it is the latest addition to the island scene. Its production is low by local standards, but the one-hour visit remains instructive for all enthusiasts and includes the tasting of two dramas. She has the particularity of producing a whisky that you will only find in Islay, made from a malt exclusively grown on the island's farms and property. The Kilchoman Café offers lunch and all day dining, which is convenient for a gourmet snack on this side of the island.

Founded in 1991, the Bruichladdich distillery presents itself as innovative and progressive. Recognizable by its turquoise blue bottles, it works with three types of single malts: Bruichladdich, not peaty, Port Charlotte, very peaty, and Octomore, claimed to be the most peaty in the world. You will discover that the Bruichladdich blue has quite a history, since it is present in the distillery and outside, on certain days of good weather, when the sun lights up the Loch. The distillery also makes The Botanist gin.

In a breathtaking environment, the Bunnahabhain distillery (the bh is pronounced v) is isolated in the north of the island, facing the Jura mountains. It opened its doors in 1881. Its whisky is much sweeter than the one of its neighbours, and uses very little, if any, peated malt. The 12-year-old is light, fresh, with a fragrance of spray and nuts. The single visit lasts about 1 hour, but there is a shorter, faster version for those in a hurry. The visit program is to be consulted on the distillery's website.

Bowmore is the mother of the Islay distilleries. Created in 1779, it is the oldest distillery on the island and remains the heart of the eponymous village. With a beautiful setting on the edge of Loch Indaal, the single visit lasts 1 hour and allows you to explore the entire production site before ending with a triple tasting: three samples of Bowmore whiskies, in the tasting room, with a spectacular view of Loch Indaal. You even leave with your tasting glass bearing the distillery's logo. Other tours offer cask tasting.

It is the westernmost distillery of the south coast, founded and marketed in 1815 by local farmers and master distiller John MacDougall. Today in continuous expansion, it has kept its traditional methods and reveals them to enthusiasts. The classic tour lasts 45 minutes, but there are longer options. Their standard-bearer is the 10-year-old, a very peaty, iodized single malt with hints of citrus fruits and cereals. The Old Kiln Café on the premises cooks up some good food for the lunch break.

Just next to Port Askaig, this distillery of 1846 has unfortunately destroyed a large part of its original buildings to rebuild a more modern complex. The location is nevertheless very nice in front of the Paps of Jura, but there may be a bit less to see than in some of its counterparts. At 43%, the 12 year old has sweet, oily flavours, with light hints of peat and citrus. Several visits are possible, from the classic to the one combining whiskies and chocolates.

It is impossible to remain indifferent to this institution, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2015. With its superb distillery with its feet in the water, Laphroaig is the favourite whisky of a large number of single malt lovers from Islay, who come here on a real pilgrimage. The tour is as exciting as it is complete, but if you don't have time to take part, at least drop by the visitor centre to sample a dram. The 10-year-old is the best known, with its very peaty mouthfeel, deep marine flavours and a hint of fruit and spices.

Nestled in a small cove on the magnificent south coast, the Lagavulin distillery traces its origins back to 1742, when its site was used as a hideout for illegal whisky distillation... Now everything is well and truly up to standard and the visit is one of the most complete and interesting in Islay. The 16 year old is a complex single malt that is dry, rich, peaty, slightly woody and salty. You can also stop at the Malt Mill Bar for exclusive tastings, as well as excellent hot chocolate, coffee, tea and pastries.

The Ardhanoe distillery opened its doors in 2018. It is thus the most recent distillery of Islay. Its water is drawn from the Loch Ardhanoe, close to the distillery. The place is shrouded in mystery: an unfathomable depth, the legend of a white courier ghost appearing at the full moon... Its water, filtered through peat and rock, is exceptionally soft. The establishment offers tours for everyone - from the express tour to the expert tour with multi-tasting - and a friendly café: The Illicit Still bar & cafe.