Our party will assemble for the beginning of the Islay Whisky Tour, at Bunnahabhain Distillery in the early evening (circa. 5pm). This distillery, the most northerly on Islay, is remotely located at the end of a tiny single track road and enjoys a most wonderful setting overlooking the neighbouring Isle of Jura and the narrow seas between the islands. Our visit to Bunnahabhain will be conducted by the distillery manager John Maclellan

After leaving Bunnahabhain we have arranged a special crossing time on the 3 minute ferry to Jura. We will then motor south along the Jura coast to the Isle of Jura Hotel that sits adjacent to the Isle of Jura Distillery.  Dinner and tasting at Isle of Jura Hotel

Tonight’s Tasting : North Islay & Jura whisky tasting from the distilleries of Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain & Isle of Jura.

Saturday 20th May

Visit to the Bowmore Distillery. At Bowmore we will enjoy a VIP visit with special access to Bowmore’s warehouses and a vertical tasting of three Bowmore expressions at the end of the tour.

After Bowmore we have time to explore the village of Bowmore on foot and lunch options (not included) can be at the famous Lochside Hotel Bar (more Islay whisky bottles here than anywhere else) or you can arrange a pack-lunch to take advantage of any good weather. 

This afternoon we will take the road south past the Port Ellen maltings (based at the dismantled Port Ellen distillery) to make an external visit to Lagavulin and Laphroaig distilleries (these distilleries do not open at weekends). Next to Lagavulin we can visit the ancient castle of Dunyvaig perched on the seashore. We will also be able to continue to see Islay’s famous Christian relic – The  Kildalton Cross. 

Tonight’s Tasting : This evening we host our major tasting at the Bridgend Hotel (A broad overview of Islay whiskies finishing with a focus on sherried and older Islay malts).

Sunday 21st May

Today starts with a Scotch Porridge talk & demonstration by Islay resident Scott Chance (World Porridge making champion), chef proprietor of Bowmore’s Harbour Inn.  Scott can advise on those difficult points such as  ‘how much Ardbeg in your porridge’.

This mornings visit will be at The Ardbeg Distillery, where distillery manager Stuart Thomson promises us a unique time looking at how this distillery and local community has been brought back to life and on the latest expressions to be created from the stocks of Ardbeg. We will have a relaxed and informal lunch at the distillery.

Afternoon visit to The Islay Woolen Mill. Built in 1883 (previous mills on the site are dated 1550), it uses traditional looms that are over 90 years old and has the only ‘Slubbing Billy’ spinning machine (dated 1820) in existence, as well as 2 of the UK’s remaining 7 ‘Spinning Jenny’s’. This traditional working, family-run woolen mill, making country tweeds and with their own Finlaggan Tartan,  has a shop well stocked with its produce

Tonight’s Tasting : Dinner at The Harbour Inn with food matched or cooked with various local whiskies - Focus on Southern Islay & Heavily Peated malts 
 
Tour Cost : £ 400 per person - Not included in tour – wines with meals, lunch on Saturday, extras at Hotels (telephones etc)