Out and About

The first stage of my dramming adventures in Scotland led me to Glasgow

After my journey to Islay in May 2010 I thought it would be only consequent to also visit the other whisky focal point in Scotland, Speyside. The Spring Festival 2010 is taking place from 28th April to 2nd May.

After my week on Islay I spent three days in Glasgow. Glasgow? Wasn’t there a whisky distillery somewhere nearby? Actually I had passed it when the coach from Kennacraig came into Glasgow on the Great Western Road, not far from Erskine Bridge.

Port Ellen – when lovers of Islay whisky hear this name, tears of joy and sadness alike are likely to wet their eyes. This single malt has a reputation of being among the finest that Islay has to offer. But the distillery was closed in 1983 because United Distillers.

Laphroaig is the most southerly of the Islay distilleries, and it is just about 1.5 miles away from Port Ellen, so it can easily be reached on foot by a nice walk along the coastal road to Ardbeg.

Caol Ila is a strange distillery. Although it is the largest on Islay it is overshadowed by most other distilleries in public perception, perhaps only with the exception of Bunnahabhain. Only since rather recently, Caol Ila single malt has come somewhat out of the closet and seems to be picking up momentum.

The installment of Kilchoman in 2005 was highly acclaimed for two reasons. Firstly because it was the first new distillery to be built on Islay for 124 years. And then the concept of a small farmhouse distillery makes Kilchoman something unique.

Often overlooked or regarded as the least interesting of all Islay distilleries, Bunnahabhain is something like the ugly duckling or grey mouse of the bunch. So I was very eager to learn a bit more about it when I set off to Bunnahabhain on my first morning on the island.