Which Islay Distilleries To Visit ?

I've been to all of them and I agree with Porrohman about Ardbeg, the Cafe is an excellent choice for lunch and the shop has certainly taken a lot of my money. Bruichladdich is an excellent tour as well but I put it at third choice following Laphroig (but that has a lot to do with the fact that I preffer their whisky).

One important thing though, contact your choices in advance and make sure your schedule matches theirs, most will ususally do two tours a day but depending on the day/season they may be only one (or none at all .. then you have to go to the Port Charlotte Hotel and hang out in their bar)

If you only have one day I would say do the tour at Ardbeg and Lagavulin and nose around at Laphroaig. There is a bar at Laphroaig shop/visitor's centre. Eating at Ardbeg is a very good idea. These 3 distilleries are only a stonethrow away from eachother and close to the harbour.

I'm with @Tommie-Jones on this..

@olivier I'm just back from a week in Isaly, visited all the distilleries except Bunnahabhain which was closed for Easter. I'd recommend Kilchoman and Bruichladdich, although they were all very good. Caol Ila is probably the one to avoid as it's not the nicest, very Seventies in architecture, but the staff were excellent. To be honest though, you won't go wrong with whichever you choose.

@olivier Oh and as Porrohman says, the Ardbeg cafe is excellent (although very busy), the one at Kilchoman is very nice too.

@olivier I would heartily recommend the Lagavulin warehouse tour. You dont tour as such, but you do get to draw whisky straight from the cask and to taste a 44 year old lagavulin!

@olivier So June has nearly gone now. Did you go on your trip? Which distilleries did you end up touring, and how was it?

I'm glad I stumbled across this. A friend and I are planning a trip in a few years. Looking forward to a round at St. Andrews and a day or two touring the Islay distilleries. Now I will have to mention where we should plan lunch :)

@Beelzebozo We toured the Bruichladdich distillery, the one that seemed the most recommended here (and also by Chieftain's Brand Ambassador in France). That was quite nice, small enough to get a good visual image of the entire process. The after-tour tasting was interesting although I am not a big fan of Bruichladdich (cannot get my head around their range). But as learning experience in the distillation process it was great.

We also visited Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Ardbeg and Jura (not on Islay, but so close).

The Laphroaig and Bowmore visitors' centers were the most comfortable and friendliest. The Caol Ila and Jura were tiny and cramped, but very friendly. Lagavulin's visitor center seemed an afterthought; a corner in the reception with dentist plastic rinse cups to taste, and a receptionist as tasting guide.

Finally, Ardbeg was a disappointment. The food was great, the tasting guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and the entire visitor tour machinery was well-oiled. Too well-oiled. Too crowded with visitors. It felt like we had left Islay and were visiting the Royal Mile in Edinburgh with throngs of tourists visiting without really knowing or caring about Whisky. Victim of its success ?

@olivier What you say about Ardbeg is very interesting. In my view they seem to be the distillery that inspires the most devotion but how wonder how long they can aggressively market themselves without starting to lose the respect they currently enjoy?

Some interesting bits here.

I am heading to Islay for a week in just over two months. I'll let you know how my experiences stack up.

You guys really managed to get the best bits on your short visit!

I'm adding my own experience to this thread, as it might be interesting to others planning a visit... We visited Islay for 4 days this June. My notes, in order of visit: * Ardbeg tour was good but nothing special, shop and café was nice. One dram of your choice after tour, more with the food. * Bruichladdich had a very nice tour. We're happy we visited despite our first plan and not being fans. Nice to see the whole process, including the warehouse! Plenty of tasting after the tour. * Caol Ila had they most beautiful location, but the least inspiring tour, was too much of an industry imho. Pictrues not allowed inside. One dram of your choice after tour. * Laphroaig had a very nice tour, interesting to see the floor malting - premium tasting was great! Plenty of tasting after the tour. * Lagavulin tour was nothing special - warehouse demonstration was absolutely wonderful! Pictures not allowed inside the still room, only through the doors. Plenty of tasting after the tour.

We also visited the Islay Ales Brewery. Very small! Plenty of tasting. We tried to get to Kilchoman on our free afternoon, but sadly could not get there in time for the tour.