On the first day we planned a visit to KILCHOMAN and BRUICHLADDICH.
On the road to Kilchoman , we made a stop at the old (and ruined) church of Kilchoman.
This ruin is surrounded by ancient graves (some even belonged to Templar Knights) and is a must to visit.
Kichoman is the youngest and smallest distillery on Islay.
It's also the only distiller who uses only products grown on Islay.
Kilchoman produces 250000 L of high quality whiskey every year.
Almost everything (incl. botteling, labelling, packaging,...) is done by hand.
We had a very warm welcome and pleasant tour (+ tasting) in this recent distillery.
They only started in 2005! And already their "Machir bay and 100% Islay are very good matured.
Over noon it's even possible to have lunch next to the shop.
Local ale's included.
When arriving at BRUICHLADDICH, it's quite a contrast.
This is a rather big distillery with a long history (1881).
In this distillery they produce about 1,5 mil. liters a year.
The tour , who was very interesting , led us trough the whole process of distilling spirit and whisky.
After the tour we joined the warehouse tasting.
On this tasting we got a dram of a Bruichladdich non peated from 1989, a port charlotte from 2005 and a Octomore 2002.
Those were three single cask's. ( cask strength of course)
Needles to say, these are some exclusive drams.
In the shop we also had the chance to buy an exclusive bottle ( 500ml) from the "still games" . This is a single barrel, only distilled once. The one they had this time is a 10 years old, port finish.
Eventually, this bottle was a gift from Bruichladdich, as they payed us back 50 pound for the two drivers we had with us and almost didn't taste.
as you all know, the best whisky is the one you get for free!!
Of this whisky there are max 500 bottles.
After this successful first day, we went back to the house.
Tomorrow, Bunnahaben & Caol Ila
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