Argyll & the Isles is famed for its single malt whiskies, with distilleries dotting the coastline. Some cracking craft gin and craft ales are made here too. But why are these Argyll & the Isles drinks so special? Perhaps it’s the water, the pristine environment or the skills that have been passed down through the generations. Whatever the answer, make sure you try out our Argyll & the Isles world-class whiskies, award-winning gins and beautifully crafted ales.
World Class Whisky
Argyll & the Isles is home to fifteen world-class distilleries, each producing distinctive and characterful single malt whisky, so you have plenty of choice for your festive dram. Islay is famed worldwide for its peaty malts, and neighbouring Jura is home to a fantastic distillery too. Campbeltown on Kintyre once had 34 distilleries, but today just Springbank, Glen Scotia and Mitchell's Glengyle. Each of them produces a unique whisky characterised by smokiness with a touch of salt. Whisky from Oban Distillery, meanwhile, has a misty, briny character while Tobermory produces two very distinctive malts.
Recommended Whisky from Argyll & The Isles
- Glen Scotia Distillery: Voted Scotland's whisky of the year, Glen Scotia is one of the smallest Scotch whisky distilleries in Scotland and they are proud of the fact that it still maintains much of its original design, including the fermenters, the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse. Explore their award-winning range or book a distillery tour here.
- Lagavulin Distillery: Dating back to 1816, Lagavulin distillery is a malt whisky distillery in the village of Lagavulin on the south of the island of Islay, Scotland. It distils spirit that is destined to become Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Shop their range here.
- Caol Ila Distillery: Was founded in 1864, Caol Ila Distillery is located on a beautiful bay and lies just north of Port Askaig on the south of Islay. The distillery boasts more than 6 stills and offers tours and a sample of whisky and chocolate. Shop their range here.
Glen Scotia Malt Whisky, Credit: Wild about Argyll & the Isles
Award-Winning Gins
Argyll & the Isles craft gin distilleries are making waves right now. The gins are infused with locally foraged botanicals and come in beautiful bottles, making them perfect for gifts all year round or even a great collectable item for gin-lovers. Try an Argyll & the Isles gin neat, serve them with a mixer or make a tasty cocktail!
Many of Argyll & the Isles are home to gin distilleries. The Hebridean islands of Islay and Colonsay are home to multiple award-winning distilleries! Islay Gin takes inspiration from the abundance of wild Islay Heather, Islay Gorse and the wild deer that roam whereas Wild Tyme Spirits rely on their two mythical helpers, the twins Doughal & Fergus. On another beautiful island, the Isle of Bute gin sources botanicals from across the island and nearby areas to create a best-in-class gin that lends itself to life on the Scottish Isles.
The beautiful island of Mull, meanwhile, is home to Whitetail Gin, inspired by the island’s famous white-tailed eagle. It may not be an island, but the wild Kintyre peninsula feels just as remote. Here the award-winning Kintyre Gin is made at Torrisdale Castle Estate in Kintyre at the Beinn a Tuirc Distillery.
Recommended Gin from Argyll & The Isles
- Whitetail Spirits Limited: The award-winning gin is inspired by the botanicals native to the island of Mull, including heather, winter savoury and pine needles from the distillery's family estate and sea-kelp collected from the shores of Loch Scridain. Shop here.
- Isle of Islay Gin: The handcrafted gin is sourced by a private family-owned Scottish business, the first and only company solely dedicated to producing Gin on the Hebridean Isle of Islay. Shop here.
- Wild Thyme Spirits: The award-winning gin is hand-made in small batches on the island of Colonsay to a recipe that is closely guarded by the distillery's special helper, ALVA, a delightful, red-haired maiden, who lives at the home of Wild Thyme Spirits – Tigh na Uruisg – which means Home of the Spirit. Shop here.
- Isle of Bute Gin: The island of Bute is the inspiration behind the small-batch gin, crafted with care in the heart of Rothesay using a traditional copper still. The gin embodies botanicals sourced from across the island and nearby areas to create a best-in-class gin that lends itself to life on the Scottish isles. Shop here.
Whitetail Gin and Botanicals, Credit: Whitetail Gin
Beer & Ale
If you like a pint of real ale then you’re in for a real treat! There’s a fantastic variety of beer and ale being produced by craft breweries across the Argyll & the Isles region. You can buy these craft ales online or find them in the pubs and restaurants in Argyll & the Isles and even, beyond.
The island of Islay is famous for its whiskies, but it’s also home to the excellent Islay Ales. Kilchoman Dark or Kilchoman Pale both use malted barley direct from Kilchoman Distillery to give the beer a smoky, peaty taste. Fyne Ales Brewery in Cowal produces a range of modern British beers, including Highlander, a dark amber-coloured bittersweet ale.
Fyne Ales on Loch Fyne, Credit: Wild about Argyll & the Isles