Recently, I visited Islay (pronounced I La) in the Inner Hebrides, a 25-minute plane journey from Glasgow.

I was there to visit seven of the Distilleries on the island. The basics of each of the distillery tours was the same in that the process for producing the whisky was described in great detail and visitors had the chance to inspect the various containers used at each stage of the process. The stills are the most fascinating parts and all of them had a slightly different shape depending on the choices made by the distillery as to how their whiskies would taste.

On each of the tours, I tasted three whiskies and so I think it’s very important to state that you shouldn’t sample these whiskies and then try to drive a vehicle anywhere, as you’ll be over the limit. All distilleries will provide designated drivers with small bottles to keep their drams in for later consumption. It’s also important to have a good breakfast as some of the tours are in the morning and the food will help soak up some of the alcohol.

Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig are on the south-east coast of the island and connected by the three distilleries footpath which starts in Port Ellen. The island bus also stops outside each of the distilleries at least twice a day during the week. Ardbeg has a good cafe. Lagavulin and Laphroaig have a photogenic setting.

Bowmore’s tour includes the malting floor where their barley dries after being wetted to encourage sprouting of the cereal. Visitors are also offered the chance to plough the barley, which is more strenuous than it appears. A maltman turns over the barley by hand using this plough every 2-3 hours. The tasting takes place in an underground room with a great atmosphere.

The Bruichladdie distillery is within walking distance of Port Charlotte and has a distinct blue and white brand. The bus also stops in this village. The tour also mentions The Botanist gin which is distilled here in the Ugly Betty still. The Botanist is the fourth most popular gin in the world.

Kilchoman isn’t serviced by public transport but does have a great cafe. They also grow their own barley in the fields around the distillery and have a malting floor to dry their sprouting barley. This distillery felt the most ‘local’ of all the distilleries and the most homely with a lovely selection of gifts and souvenirs.

Caol Ila is quite an operation. All the processes are explained before you tour around the distillery and the tasting room has amazing views over the churning waters of the Sound of Islay towards the Paps of Jura on the neighbouring island.

I didn’t have chance to visit Ardnahoe and Bunnahabain, but there will be a next time.

If you’re wondering how popular Islay whisky is, well four new distilleries are either being planned or being constructed, one of which will have housing for its employees.