Rainy Days are Designed for Scotch
Day 5: Scotch
Bowmore & Its Church
The view from the church towards Loch Indaal is magnificent and from there you have an overview of the whole Main Street. The Round Church itself, parish church of Killarrow, was built in 1767 by Daniel Campbell of Shawfield and Islay, then owner of the entire island. The interior of the church is beautiful and should be on everybody's itinerary. The story goes that the church was built in a circular shape to make sure there were no corners for the devil to hide in. The gallery was added in about 1830 and the organ in 1890. There is a sandstone slab containing the following Latin inscription (translated): 'With pious intent, and to promote truth and honour, Daniel Campbell, lord of this island, built at his own expense in the year 1767, this church dedicated to the supreme God. Other important monuments are an obelisk-headed mural monument of white marble commemorating Walter Campbell of Shawfield and Islay who died in 1816, a tomb-chest set within an ogival-moulded canopy commemorating Margaret Susan Campbell, daughter of Walter Frederick Campbell, who died in infancy in 1822 and a large twin-chambered black marble sarcophagus erected to commemorate Lady Ellinor Campbell (d. 1832) and Walter Frederick Campbell, who died in Normandy in 1855.
Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Distillery is one of the three "Kildalton Distilleries" and can be found on Islay's south coast. Ardbeg is a close neighbour of Lagavulin which sits in between Ardbed and Laphroaig. The name Ardbeg comes from the local wee village where the distillery is situated. Ardbeg distills one of the peatiest whiskies on the island.
Ardbeg distillery was established in 1815 and operated as a Private Ltd. Co. until january 1977 when it was taken over by Hiram Walker (producers of Ballantine), who sadly demolished the best of the maturing warehouses, and later by Allied Distillers, who 'mothballed' the distillery in 1981. Ardbeg remained silent until 1989. During those years the buildings were allowed to fall into disrepair.
Ardbeg Distillery was bought and reopened in 1997 by Glenmorangie Plc, and is now one of the fastest growing Islay Single Malt Whiskies. Glenmorangie invested heavily in refurbishing the buildings and plant. To maintain Ardbeg's very distinctive character, the specification of malt used in the production of Ardbeg requires to be at a minimum level of 50 p.p.m. phenol.
Laphroaig Distillery
Laphroaig Distillery is beautifully situated in the south of Islay and is one of the three "Kildalton Distilleries". The Gaelic name means "the beautiful hollow by the broad bay". Laphroaig is considered one of the most strongly flavored of all scotch whiskies, and is generally aged to 10 years. The 18 year old variety is also very popular as well as the Quarter Cask (matured in small casks often used in the 19th century). Laphroaig Distillery was established in 1815, by Alex and Donald Johnston. The 'Johnston' brothers were actually McCabes, of the Clan Donald, who changed their names following the failed Jacobite uprising, and settled on the Isle of Islay.
Since 1994 Laphroaig has been the only whisky to carry the Royal Warrant of HRH, Prince Charles of Wales (the 15-year-old is reportedly his favorite scotch whisky), which was awarded in person during a visit to the distillery.
Lagavulin Distillery
Lagavulin is one of the three Kildalton Distilleries in the south of Islay and sits comfortably in between Ardbeg and Laphroaig at the "Hollow by the Mill", translated from the Gaelic lag a'mhuilin. Lagavulin is pronounced as La-ga-voolin
Lagavulin Distillery officially dates from 1816, though records show illicit distillation on the site as far back as 1742. Originally there were two distilleries operating on this site, the first established in 1816 believed to be named "Kildalton", and the second in 1817 named Lagavulin. There were also other small distilleries on the same site, Malt Mill Distillery and Ardmore Distillery.
By 1837 there was only the one distillery, "Lagavulin" occupied by Donald Johnston. The still house was rebuilt in 1962 and incorporated the stills of the Malt Mill Distillery and in 1996 a new mashtun was installed, and automated controls put in place. The visitor center dates back to 1998 and was established in the buildings that once were the maltings and kiln of Malt Mill Distillery.
Bowmore Hotel
Bowmore Hotel is situated in the island's 'capital', Bowmore, in Jamieson Street and close to all the village amenities. It is a family run hotel with twelve bedrooms and is open all year round. The Hotel cooking makes excellent use of Islay's local produce including beef, lamb and seafood all of which is served in the beautifully appointed dining room.