Bruichladdich Distillery — Local services in Islay

Came yesterday just to look around and although the space in the shop is amazing- with a huge “living wall” down one side, covered in plants and a lovely smell of whisky and wood, personally I felt a bit underwhelmed initially, just because like all distilleries there’s loads of merch- from cycling tops to soaps. But today my feeling couldn’t be more different: took the PHD tour (Progressive Hebridean Distillers) with Jamie. I’ve been on a lot of whisky tours in Islay and across other Scottish islands and I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the machinery in action before today- they have the original old machinery, some of it from 1881 - which makes it a touch more magical. It’s so much more personal than the tours of the Diageo distilleries, including being able to walk amongst the casks (amazing!) and seeing and tasting some pre-whisky part way through the process (pre-distillation) by taking some wash from the wash back, when it’s more of a German Weiss beer. Really interesting to hear the history of the distillery too and to see a working distillery - with really friendly and clearly happy staff at work. There was a generous tasting at the end of the tour- and so all in all a...

Visiting Bruichladdich Distillery was one of the highlights of my whisky journey. Located right on the shores of Loch Indaal, the setting is as stunning as the spirit itself — peaceful, windswept, and full of character.

From the moment you arrive, the energy is different. Bruichladdich proudly calls itself the “Progressive Hebridean Distillers,” and it shows in everything they do — from their bold bottle designs to their experimental spirit runs. But at its core, this is a distillery deeply connected to its land, its community, and the craft of whisky-making.

And then there's the whisky: the unpeated Bruichladdich, the heavily peated Port Charlotte, and the bonkers-level-peat Octomore — each one unique, expressive, and brilliantly crafted. The tasting was generous and insightful, with options to try some of their rarer or distillery-exclusive bottlings.

The shop is beautifully curated, and the staff never make you feel rushed or pressured — just warmly welcomed.

If you're on Islay, Bruichladdich is essential. It’s not just a distillery — it’s a movement, and one that any whisky lover...

We had the chance to do a tour and warehouse tasting at Bruichladdich with Junior Brand Ambassador Eva MacIntyre, which was a rare treat since she’s usually traveling the world hosting events. Having her lead the experience made it all the more special. The tasting itself was excellent, with the 14-year-old Octomore standing out as the highlight. Pouring samples straight from the cask was a fun and memorable touch—and being able to help yourself made it a relaxed and engaging experience. (One guest even filled her glass nearly to the brim each time—impressive given the generous pours were close to 200ml!). Eva was outstanding as a guide—deeply knowledgeable but also very relatable, having grown up on Islay. She added a personal dimension by weaving in her own stories about Bruichladdich and the local community. It was clear how much the distillery has invested in her and, by extension, in the island itself. Overall, this felt like more than just a tour—it was a chance to connect with Bruichladdich’s whiskies, people, and history in a very personal way. Highly recommended if you get the...