Related Posts
On va s’le dire: y’a pas un chat icitte!
Would ETH be the next BTC?
Additional Posts in Whiskey Business
Recent Christmas gift from life coach.
About that time 🤝
Ok last one for real
Rising Star
Rising Star
Bowl Leader
Who else likes a good smoke with their pour?
Any recommendation for an everyday cognac ?
Visual Storyteller
Pro
Cheers to the weekend!
Rising Star
Rising Star
Best scotch under $70, not too peaty
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Was in Islay for a week recently and covered Laphroig, Lagavulin, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, and Kilchoman. Unfortunately couldn’t make it to Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila or Ardnahoe. Loved it and would be happy to chat about the experience. Considering returning for the Fèis Ìle festival at some point in the future.
I accidentally left off the visit to my personal favorite Ardbeg as well.
I’ve done Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Tanqueray. The latter isn’t open to the public, but the first two do a great job. Very polished. I had private experiences so I can’t speak to what the typical visit would be like, but I’m sure it’s nice.
I’d like to get back for a more extensive trip and to hit more distilleries, though I’m not sure the best way to do it from a logistics perspective.
Always wanted to do this
Did Speyside a few years ago and visited Macallan, Glenfiddich, Strathisla and few others. Worth it.
I did rent a car but I obviously didn’t do the tasting (my wife did). Interestingly, these distilleries pour your tasting in tiny bottles for you to take home and drink (if you are driving). But it was important for me to visit and experience these distilleries and also drive on Scotland country roads, so I chose to take my tasting home. 😂
Pro
The great thing is no matter where you go in Scotland there’s distilleries nearby that you probably want to try.
My peat-lover route with a rental car from Edinburgh was to go a little out of the way to bypass Glasgow and drive through the national park in the Highlands. About 1hr longer, but we’ll worth the scenic vistas - took about 3-4 hours to reach Oban where we spent the night. In the morning take the ferry to Isle Of Mull (family heritage in my case) for Tobermory/Ledaig. Then the next day taking the ferry from Oban to Islay. It puts you on the north side at Port Askaig for quick drives to Bunnahabhain, and Caol Isla, or cross about 1/4 mile of water and hit Jura. The village at Port Askaig is virtually nothing, but there’s a B&B and then an inn shortly south. It’s about a 30m or so drive to the south of the island where there are a couple of larger towns with accommodations and the tiny airport. From there you have easy access to Bruichladdich, Kilchoman, Bowmore, Port Ellen, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig (the last 4 are spaced only a mile between each and easily doable by bike if there’s nice weather from the town of Port Ellen).
(side note - the cafe at Ardbeg with pairings might be the best food on the island and a great way to get the whisky without yet another redundant distillery tour. Scottish local pub food leaves a lot to be desired)
From Islay you can take another ferry back to the mainland and cross Campbletown off your list.
Pro
Oh, and plan to drive stick. Automatic rentals are stupidly expensive. And make sure you get reservations for the ferries if driving. They fill up ahead of time which can leave you stranded.