Distilleries to Visit 2009 From the source of the water to the shape of the still, a distillery tour will help to explain what makes every Scotch Whisky different. No two distilleries are the same. Each has a unique setting and story, as well as a distinctive way of doing things that has evolved over many years. Visiting a distillery allows you to indulge your passion for Scotch and, at the same time, discover the environment and meet the people that have done so much to shape that instantly recognisable taste. No matter which distillery you choose to visit - be it island, mainland, large or small - you can expect great Scotch Whisky, a warm Scottish welcome, and a fabulous day out. Scotland is the home of Scotch Whisky and host to the greatest concentration of distilleries in the world. There are around 100, making Malt Whisky by the centuries-old Pot Still method or Grain Whisky in the Coffey or Patent Still which has been in use since 1831. Few products are so closely linked with the environment, culture and people of their country of origin as Scotch Whisky. Scotch Whisky is subject to a tight legal definition. Made only from barley and other cereals, water and yeast it can only be called Scotch if it has been distilled and matured in Scotland. Distilled in a land of breathtaking natural beauty, it takes nothing from nature which nature will not replace. It is a natural drink, a distillation of the riches with which Scotland is so abundantly endowed - fields of golden barley, water tumbling down glens of granite and over moors of peat; and cool pure Scottish air. Scotch Whisky is classified in one of five main categories - Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Blended Grain Scotch Whisky. Further legal protection for consumers is given to the regional names associated with Scotch Malt Whisky production - Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown - according to the location of the distillery in which the spirit is made. Scotch Whisky is Scotland's leading indigenous product, and is of major importance to the economy not only of Scotland, but of the United Kingdom as a whole. Sold around the world for more than 100 years, Scotch Whisky is now established as the leading international spirit drink, making it one of Britain’s most important exports. Many distilleries welcome visits by members of the public. It is often necessary to make arrangements in advance, but many distilleries have extensive visitor facilities and do not require prior warning of a visit. ISLAY Islay, a small island off the west coast of Scotland, may be only 25 miles long but is home to 8 distilleries. The whiskies from this area have more than a hint of saltiness due to the fact that Islay is frequently lashed by Atlantic storms. Sea spray blows across the island, impregnating the peat used in the malting of the barley and blows into the warehouses where casks of Scotch Whisky lie maturing, thus affecting the taste and aroma. The result is that some of the Islay whiskies are pungent and powerful with a distinctive whiff of sea air in them. Other distilleries that are in a more sheltered location, and use less peat during malting have a gentler but still clearly identifiable character. Ardbeg Distillery map ref: 3 (Glenmorangie Co Ltd) All year: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm Port Ellen, June-August: Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm Isle of Islay PA42 7EA Regular tours available t: Visitor Centre 01496 302244 Group bookings: max 12, by appointment www.ardbeg.com Admission charge £4 with redemption in shop Bowmore Distillery map ref: 9 (Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd) Easter-June: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm - tours School Street, Bowmore, 10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm Isle of Islay PA46 7RP July-Mid September: Monday-Sunday 9am-5pm t: Visitor Centre 01496 810671 - tours 10am,11am, 2pm & 3pm e: [email protected] Mid September-Easter: Monday-Friday www.bowmore.com 9am-5pm - tours 10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm Saturday 9am-12noon - tour 10am Group bookings: by appointment Admission charge with redemption in shop Bowmore distillery self catering cottages are available to rent Bunnahabhain Distillery map ref: 10 (Burn Stewart Distillers Ltd) 9 March-30 October: Monday-Friday - tours Port Askaig 10.30am, 2pm & 3.15pm Isle of Islay PA46 7RP November-February: tours by appointment t: Distillery Office 01496 840646 Admission charge £4 per adult part refundable www.bunnahabhain.com on purchase of 70cl bottle of Bunnahabhain or www.blackbottle.com Malt Distillery shop open: 9.30am-4.30pm Caol Ila Distillery map ref: 11 (Diageo) 16 February-March & November: Monday- Port Askaig Friday 9am-12noon - tour 10am Isle of Islay PA46 7RL April-October: Monday-Friday 9.15am-4.15pm t: Distillery Office 01496 302760 - tours 9.30am, 10.45am, 1.45pm & 3.15pm e: [email protected] Saturday 9am-12noon - tour 10am www.discovering-distilleries.com Easter Sunday: 1pm-4pm - tour 2pm December: By appointment only Admission charge £5 includes complimentary Caol Ila whisky glass Please book to avoid disappointment Kilchoman Distillery map ref: 27 (Kilchoman Distillery Co Ltd) All year: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm Rockside Farm, Bruichladdich April-September: Saturday 10am-5pm - tours Isle of Islay PA49 7UT 11am & 3pm t: Distillery Office 01496 850011 Group bookings: by appointment at above e: [email protected] times or to include lunch by special www.kilchomandistillery.com arrangement, please phone or email for details Lagavulin Distillery map ref: 28 (Diageo) 23 March-October: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7DZ - tours 9.30am, 11.15am, 2.30pm & 3.45pm t: 01496 302749 April-October: Saturday 1.30pm-4.30pm - tour e: [email protected] 2.30pm www.discovering-distilleries.com November-4 December & 16 February-20 March: Monday-Friday 1.30pm-4.30pm - tour 2.30pm 23, 24, 28 & 31 December: 1.30pm-4.30pm - tour 2.30pm Admission charge £5 includes complimentary Lagavulin whisky glass Please book to avoid disappointment. Special visits available on certain dates, telephone or check website for details Laphroaig Distillery map ref: 29 (Beam Global Spirits & Wine) March-October: Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.30pm Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7DU - tours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday t: Distillery Office 01496 302418 10am, 11.30am, 2pm & 3.30pm e: [email protected] Wednesday - tours 10am & 2pm www.laphroaig.com Saturday 10am-5pm - tours 10am & 2pm Sunday 2pm-4pm - tour 1pm November-February: Monday-Friday 9.30-5.30 - tours 10am & 2pm Admission charge £2 Tutored Standard & Super Premium tastings plus hands on experience at Laphroaig’s source, peat & malt floors, advance booking necessary HIGHLAND The Highland region is geographically the largest Scotch Whisky producing region. The rugged landscape and changeable climate, and in some cases, coastal locations, are reflected in the character of its whiskies, which embrace wide variations. As a group, Highland whiskies are rounded, robust and dry in character, with a hint of smokiness/peatiness. Those near the sea carry a salty tang; in the far north the whiskies are more notably heathery and slightly spicy in character; while in the more sheltered east and middle of the region, the whiskies have a more fruity character. Aberfeldy Distillery map ref:1 (Dewar’s World of Whisky) April-October: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, (John Dewar & Sons Ltd) Sunday 12noon-4pm Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2EB November-March: Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm t: 01887 822010 Last admission one hour before closing time www.dewarsworldofwhisky.com Group bookings: by appointment, max 50 Admission charge Ben Nevis Distillery map ref: 6 (Ben Nevis Distillery (Fort William) All year: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Ltd) Easter-September: Saturday 10am-4pm Lochy Bridge, July-August: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Sunday Fort William PH33 6TJ 12noon-4pm t: Visitor Centre 01397 700200 October-Easter: Saturday, Sunday & evenings www.bennevisdistillery.com by arrangement Admission charge with redemption in shop Blair Athol Distillery map ref: 8 (Diageo) 4 April-October: Monday-Saturday 9.30am- Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LY 5pm - regular tours t: 01796 482003 June-October: Sunday 12noon-5pm - regular e: [email protected] tours www.discovering-distilleries.com Last tour one hour before closing time November-3 April: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm - tours 11am, 1pm & 3pm Admission charge £5 for adults which includes a discount voucher, redeemable towards the purchase of a 70cl bottle of Single Malt Whisky Clynelish Distillery map ref:13 (Diageo) April-October: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm Brora, Sutherland KW9 6LR November-March: by appointment t: 01408 623000 Last tour one hour before closing time e: [email protected] Admission charge £5 for adults which includes www.discovering-distilleries.com a discount voucher, redeemable towards the purchase of a 70cl bottle of Single Malt Whisky Dalwhinnie Distillery map ref:15 (Diageo) 6 April-May: Monday-Friday 9.30am-5pm Dalwhinnie, Inverness-shire June-September: Monday-Saturday 9.30am- PH19 1AB 5pm t: 01540 672219 July & August: Sunday 12.30pm-4pm e: [email protected] October: Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm www.discovering-distilleries.com November-5 April: Monday-Friday 11am-2pm - tours 11.15am, 12.15pm & 1.15pm Last tour one hour before closing time Admission charge £5 Glen Garioch Distillery map ref: 18 (Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd) All year: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm - tours Distillery Road, Oldmeldrum, available every