Visiting The World's Whisky Island | Islay

I visit the Scottish Island of Islay, the world’s only whisky island 🥃. The Isle of Islay, located on Scotland’s west coast is one of Scotland whisky regions, known for its Islay peated whisky and home to 9 working Islay distilleries. Islay can be accessed by a 2-3 hour ferry from Kennacraig or Oban or it’s possible to fly with flights from Glasgow taking around 45 minutes.

I take the Calmac ferry to Isle of Islay with my campervan Ernie and aswell as exploring the island, I also do my own Islay whisky tour. I taste Islay single malts at some of the distilleries on the whisky trail near Port Ellen but I also pick up some driver’s drams so I can do my own whisky tasting and decide for myself which is the best Islay whisky back at the Islay campsite.

Islay scotch is renowned worldwide and I make it my goal to visit all 9 Islay distilleries during my time on the island - Kilchoman, Laphroaig, Lagavullin, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Ardnahoe, Caol Ila and Bruichladdich. The more Islay scotch I try, the more of a whisky fan I become!

Join me on this Scotland travel adventure through Islay as I learn more about whisky, Scotland’s national drink!

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WHO AM I?
If we haven't met before... Hi, I'm Ruth 👋 and I recently bought a campervan to travel my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. I’ve hardly seen anything or been anywhere in Scotland and now is the time to change that!

P.S. Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a kickback from.

[sebastianhinz]

I think that was the most beautiful travel report on youtube I‘ve seen so far. No self-display, no stressful editing for an audience with the attention of a goldfish… just someone really enjoying the beauty of this place. I also really enjoyed watching it!

[tomthx]

I hitchhiked through Scotland in 1977, and got picked up by the owner of the Glenfiddich distillery. He explained all about how Glenfiddich is made, why it is the best bar none, and how to appreciate Scotch in the best way. Back then there were not that many Americans hitchhiking, and he was glad to give us a ride.

[leonperler]

This is hands down one of the best Islay travel Videos out there and i say that as a Whisky nerd.

[kaislivesoundchannel]

The 16 years old Lagavulin is one of my all time favourites

[JEmmertz]

I've tried quite a few of the Islay whiskys, and for such a small island they definitely taste a lot different to each other. Each have their own charm and almost always I can find a new nuance to the taste.
A few hints for those who want to test peaty Islay whisky: Start at the lower end of peatiness, and move on to the heavier ones as you get used to them. That leaves your taste buds a fair chance to notice smaller differences. If you have a strong (say something like above 55%) and it is non-chill filtered, it might benefit from a few drops of water to open it up and give you even more flavour.

[tonletsch]

You were wondering if there are more square lighthouses.
Well, on the island of Terschelling here in the Netherlands there is a big squared lighthouse called 'Brandaris' named after Saint Bandarius and dating back to 1594 (though the first issue of the lighthouse dates back as early as 1323 as top of a church). The lighthouse is still in use and manned for sea traffic control.
The island features also it's own whisky called 'Saint Brandaris', though it is distilled at Islay.
There's also a whisky version called 'The Lost Whisky' named after an incident by which after a storm in 1969 dozens of whisky barrels washed ashore.
Now this new whisky, distilled by Ardmore and after aging in bourbon and rum casks, is shipped on board of the Dutch barkentine (tallship) 'Thalassa' to sail around the world before being bottled.

[saintuk]

11:44 standing right outside the very first house I stayed in as a child - really fond memories of my time on Islay.

[andrewmarinkovich]

A Distillery tour of Islay is a dream trip for me. Thank you for showing me the way. Hopefully I will be able to do it one day.

[otwock]

Great video! Greetings from Poland, from Ardbeg whisky fan!

[JackieWW]

Islay is a magical place trapped in time! It amazes me that these distilleries are able to maintain the quaint charm while being such big industries.

[thebear]

Another fab video Ruth, I am not a whiskey person but love how you tasting and giving your opinion on the whiskeys. Like you I think there are so many nice places to visit in Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[veheeo]

Happy New Year ! This is Simply Splendid THANK YOU !! 😎💯❤👀🕺🌹💎🎩

[hjkroeze]

I was very happy to see this video Ruth. 24 Years ago I bought a bottle of Laphroaig on the ferry from Rotterdam to Hull and within the box there was a form to get your own plot on the island and I still have it. Every time I still get their emails I never saw videos about the factory and I'm very happy with your video . Thanks!!

[TimMcCurry-uekr]

My ancestors were from Islay. Migrated to America in 1761.

[MidwestLori]

I've been.making my way through your videos and I have to say that they are so relaxing to me. I'm a middle aged mom in Kansas, US dreaming of rainy cool Scottish days. Thank you for sharing your adventures!

[iannicholson]

Ms Aisling. Today I had a 12 year old Highland Park. I had asked for an accompanying glass of water and the barmaid said "Should I pour that in the whisky"? I don't think I have screamed No with such anguish or emphasis in my life. As a regular in my local I have some incredibly small influence over which whisky they bring in. I suggested Laphroaig. Your vlog has reminded me after too many years of what a damnably civilised thing sipping a single malt can be. Many of the other regulars are necking lagers, some of which I appallingly understand to be Australian. I remain however a Scottish gentleman. With thanks.

[sly]

hello ruth. i just found your channel and i must say your videos are so well done and you travel to some really interesting and beautiful places. i just subscribed and plan to watch all of your videos when i have more time. thank you and take care. curt.

[rutledgeleland]

Was a Time when I Played the Mandolin in Celtic Folk bands and got to play in some hip bars and clubs and Was introduced to Laphroaig and really took a love for Now I have a WoderLust to Travel Over from the US and Visit Even More Thanks for the Beautiful Introduction To this Amazing Pa rt of the World

[gazzaman]

Islay is a very special place, my wife & I honeymooned there, and have gone back on our 5th & 10th anniversaries, so hopefully we'll be back again in a couple of years. Lagavulin is my favourite, but anything peaty floats my boat! Great video, thanks.

[edwieger]

You can't go wrong with Lagavulin. I find it nice and smooth.