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Islay Whisky Distilleries and Tours

Known as the ‘whisky Isle’ , Islay’s whisky Distilleries are definitely worth including in those holiday plans. With 9 Islay whisky distilleries to choose from, and another just a short ferry ride away on the neighbouring Isle of Jura, there is plenty of choice. Each distillery offers a bespoke range of exciting whisky distillery tours.

So, what can you expect from a visit to Islay’s Distilleries?

Well, just as each malt whisky has its own unique character and personality, the same is true of each distillery. Aside from the whisky, each of Islay’s Distilleries are situated in stunning locations and corners of the island, each offering their own magical views of Islay. They have you covered too, as most of the distilleries now serve delicious food and refreshments. Enjoy the Visitor Centre shopping experiences and soon be you will be taking home some beautiful pieces from your trip.

Islay and Jura Distillery Opening Times Winter 2024/2025

Ardnahoe Distillery

Ardnahoe Distillery is a five minute drive along the road from Persabus.

Ardnahoe is latest of Islay’s whisky distilleries to open, but with a couple more whisky distilleries in the planning and building stages, there will be more to come!

Ardnahoe Distillery is open five days a week during the winter months, 10.00am until 4.00pm (bar closes at 3.30pm). Tours run daily at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Do book Distillery tours or tastings in advance of your trip to Islay. For information and to book tours and tastings phone 01496 840777 or see the website

With a fantastic bar, offering panoramic views across the Sound of Islay to the wilderness of Jura’s west coast, it is definitely worth popping by. tel: 01496 840777

For information and to book tours and tastings or experiences such as the Whisky Journey Through Scotland; Blending Experience or First Steps in Whisky, or to experience a whisky and cheese pairing or a whisky and food paring please see the website on www.ardnahoedistillery.com.

Bunnahabhain Distillery

Bunnahabhain Distillery is a fifteen minute drive along the road from Persabus.

Out of all the Islay whisky Distilleries it is probably situated on one of Islay’s most scenic coastlines. Here the wildlife come out to play and don’t be surprised if you get treated to an otter or two playing on the shore, as well as eagles soaring over head.

Bunnahabhain is a less peated in flavour than the island’s other fine malts (it’s the Happy Farmer’s favourite dram).

Enjoy tours and tastings, but definitely book them in advance of your trip.

Visitor Centre open 9.45am to 16.30pm, seven days a week, from 1st November2024 -31st March 2025

Warehouse 9 tastings available every day at 11:00am and 14:00pm. Production tours are offered all week (apart from a Thursday) at 10:00am and 13:00pm.
Bunnahabhain will be closed the 25th -26th December, and on 1st and 2nd January 2025

Find and book your tasting experience at

https://bunnahabhain.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Any questions or to arrange a tasting for a group or club, contact the team on

[email protected]

Ardbeg Distillery

Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre and shop is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm up to the
end of October 2024.
From November 2024 to March 2025 it will be open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm.
Ardbeg Distillery is closed on the following dates 11th December 2024,
21st December 2024 – 5th January 2025 (inclusive)
Bookings for tours currently being taken till the end of March 2025. Details of the 2025 spring and
summer season experiences will be online over the coming months.
Classic tours, pop up tasting flights and great merchandise.
Choose from a wide range of experiences –there’s something for everyone – classic production
tours, Rocktails, DIY tastings, the Quintissential Ardbeg tour, Stillhouse and Warehouse 3 tasting, AN
OA, AN OA, AN OA, and the Wednesday Whisky Walkabout (Wednesday’s only!)
https://www.ardbeg.com/en-int/visitus.html
The Old Kiln Café at Ardbeg is open indoors in winter and spring with morning coffees and cakes
from 10 to 12 and great home-cooked lunches from 1200 to 1530. In Summer food and drink,
lunches, lightbites and snacks are available at the Ardstream trailer in the courtyard.
For more information contact the distillery on [email protected] or call 01496 302244 for any
further information.

Bruichladdich Distillery

Bruichladdich Distillery is a half hour drive from Persabus.

The Laddie shop and visitor centre is open seven days a week 10:00 –17:30 (last tastings 17:00)

Distillery tours & tastings can be booked online at https://www.bruichladdich.com/pages/tours and
gin experiences on https://www.thebotanist.com/pages/tour-booking
For more details go to the website here Distillery Tours – Bruichladdich Distillery. For further
information call 01496 850190

Bowmore Distillery

Bowmore Distillery is a 20 minute drive from Persabus.

The distillery is open to visitors on Monday 10am to 5pm; Tuesday to Thursday 9.30am
to 5pm. Friday 10 to 5pm and Saturday 9.30 to 5pm. It is closed on Sunday.
To check availability and book an experience, please

visit https://www.bowmore.com/experiences
or alternatively call 01496 810441

Caol Ila Distillery

Caol ila Distillery is a five minute drive from Persabus, or enjoy a walk through the fields across the farm to the new visitor centre.

The Visitor Centre is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm through to the end of

December 2024.

January and February 2025 open Tuesday-Saturday 10am until 5pm.

March 2025 , it will open Tuesday to Sunday 10.00am to 5pm

The bar is open from 10am serving a range of drams, cocktails, flights and food platters with last
orders at 4:15pm. A selection of tours and tastings run daily and these can be booked online at
www.malts.com. Contact number is 01496 302769.

The Johnnie Walker Striding Man Statue was designed by (Persabus) artists Rosemary Fletcher and her daughters. Head over to our blog section to read the story behind the designs for Johnnie Walker Striding Man Statue.

Deer Island Rum Distillery

Enjoy a short ferry trip across to the neighbouring Isle of Jura and visit the new Rum Distillery in Craighouse, Jura. Persabus is a five minute drive from the Jura Ferry.

March 2025 opening hours are as follows: 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 29th. 11am til 3.30pm, and 30th
11am til 2pm

From April Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from Noon to 3pm.

From May to September open hours will be Monday and Tuesday Noon to 3pm; Wednesday 11.30am to 3.30pm; Thursday Noon – 3pm; Friday and Saturday 11.30 to 3.30pm.

For more information visit the website here Scottish Spiced Rum – Deer-Island
(deerisland.co.uk)

Kilchoman Distillery

40 minutes by car from Persabus.

From Friday 1st November 2024 The Visitor Centre, Shop & Café will open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm and will close on Mondays.

The café is open for lunches between noon and 14.30pm (booking essential) A selection of teas, barista-style coffee and home baking is served from 10am to 15.30pm.

On Saturdays and Sundays afternoon teas will be available alongside the craft workshop weekends.

Distillery Classic tours are available throughout the day and Limited Edition tour takes
place at 11am please check the website for full details and to book.

Website: www.kilchomandistillery.com

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01496 850 011

Jura Distillery

A short ferry journey across to the neighbouring Isle of Jura (Persabus is a five minute drive from the Jura ferry terminal at Port Askaig, no need to book)

Shop and visitor centre open from 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday. Please book ahead for tours
by calling 01496 820 385 for further details or email us at [email protected]

Laphroaig Distillery

40 minutes by car from Persabus, or hop on a bus. Buses operate Mon to Sat, more details can be found here

Open seven days from 9.45 to. Visit the museum, shop and lounge bar (open 10am to
4pm with last orders 15.45pm) You can also book for one of several tours and tasting experiences.

During January and February 2025 Laphroaig opens 9.45 to 16.30 weekdays only.

You can also book for one of
several tours and tasting experiences.

See more here Book a Distillery Tour – Official Laphroaig
Whisky Site – Laphroaig Please call to book ahead on 01496 302418

or email [email protected]. www.laphroaig.com

Lagavulin

Lagavulin Distillery is a forty minute drive from Persabus.

Please note that during winter 2024/25 the distillery may have to close at short notice due to
weather conditions. The distillery is in its ‘silent season’ from 24th October – 18th November . During
this time we have adapted our tours and experiences while the production area is not accessible to
the public. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Opening times are March – November | Monday – Sunday | 10:00 – 17:00
December – February | Monday – Saturday | 10:00 – 16:00
To book a tour visit Single Malt Scotch Whisky | Whisky Brands | Malts
A variety of experiences can be booked via website www.Malts.com and the Maltmill Bar is open
daily. For all other enquiries please telephone 01496 302749.

Lussa Gin, Jura

Monday to Friday from 11am until 4.30pm. Tours are bookable online at
www.lussagin.com. Tel 01496 820196). Visit www.lussagin.com

Islay Gin

Opening hours are 11am-4pm, Tuesday – Saturday, at the shop at Islay House
Square, Bridgend, for tastings, purchases and meet the makers. Telephone 01496 810111.

Accommodation

Explore our delightful Islay accommodation where we have a fabulous choice of country accommodation on this beautiful island.

Find Out More

Things to Do

There is so much to see and do on the beautiful island of Islay and we have a section to help you decide what to do when you visit here.

Find Out More

Testimonials

Comfortable and well-equipped self-catering cottage with great views of the Paps of Jura. 4 of us (two couples) stayed in the Millhouse Cottage for a week in July 2018. Donald was a great host and the cottage provided an excellent base at the north end of Islay, within walking distance of Port Askaig (with its ferries to Colonsay, Oban, Kintyre and Jura) and stunning views (from the front-door) across the Sound of Islay to the impressive Paps of Jura.