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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

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, 9.30am until 4.30pm. 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. Enjoy tours and tastings, but definitely book them in advance of your trip.

Visitor Centre open 10am to 5pm, seven days a week.

Warehouse 9 tasting experiences available at 11.30am and 2.30pm and visitor centre drams at 10.30am and 2pm. Call 01496 840557 for details and to book. 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 April 2024.
EASTER weekend: On Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st it will also be open.
From May to October 2024 it will be open seven days a week from 9.30am to 5.30pm
(note the distillery will completely close on Sunday June 2 and Thursday August 8. And that there are
no tours available between June 17 and July 8 as production ceases for essential maintenance to
take place)
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, light bites 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 from from 10:00 –
17:30 (last tastings 17:00) from April 1 – October 31, 2024
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 from Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. 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-Saturday 10am until 5pm through to the end of
February. (from March, it will reopen on Sundays as well.)
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.

Open every Monday Weds and Fri Sat 12:00 –4:00pm. For more information visit the website here Scottish Spiced Rum – Deer-Island
Note March opening hours are as follows: 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 29th. 11am til 3.30pm, and 30th

Kilchoman Distillery

40 minutes by car from Persabus.

The Visitor Centre, Shop & Café is open seven days a week. Vistior centre is open
9.45am to 5pm where you can shop, enjoy the whisky bar or book tours and tastings. The café is
open for lunches between noon and 15.30pm (booking essential) A selection of teas, barista-style
coffee and homebaking is served from 10am to 16.30pm. 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.
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.

Open seven days a week from Easter throughout the summer 10am to 5pm. 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

Great hosts and great views nearby! As a lone traveler and someone who had taken up a last minute trip to Islay, the hosts – Donald and Rosemary Fletcher were a delightful company. They made me feel at home and even provided detailed information to visit nearby attractions including a map. Since I was keen to visit the Finlaggen ruins, and it was almost getting dark, Donald was kind enough to give me a lift one way to the historical site and also made sure that I had a torch light with me on my way back. We had a great Indian dinner with Donald and Rosemary always ready to entertain with the stories on the farm and beyond. Even though I was staying over for just a night, I was touched by the hospitality of the Fletchers. I would highly recommend anyone wishing to have a terrific islander experience to go have a stay at the Persabus farm! It is located a wee walk from the Port Askaig and located a few minutes’ walk from the Finlaggen ruins as well. Rosemary also runs a pottery craft workshop with fabulous art works too. Moreover, if you are just looking for a good humored stay, you won’t be disappointed either.