Ardbeg Distillery

When you travel on the ferry to Port Ellen, the first distillery you see is Ardbeg. This is one of the most pungently peaty of the Islay malts and the distillery is definitely worth a visit.

The Distillery was taken over in a run down state by Glenmorangie and they have invested heavily in the buildings and the malt. The visitor centre and cafe is now one of the nicest I know. The food is excellent and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.

The conversion of the old kiln to the cafe and gift shop is very attractive and the use of old equipment for floral displays is a nice touch,

To the top right they have made a nice display of the raw materials used in whisky making, the peat is in a basket under the table, the malted grain is in the wicker bowls on the table and the spring water that is used in the process is in the old glass container.

The mill is a wonderful piece of engineering where the grain is turned to grist. Stainless steel rollers smash the grain to powder ready for the mash tuns.

As the grain is heated and stirred to remove the malt from the grist, the heat and smell is intense. One of the pleasures of the tour is to see and smell the various processes.

My poor little camera is just not up to the job of photographing in these large spaces. I have put in this slightly blurry photograph because I liked the play of oxide on the surface of this huge copper still.

Whisky distilling is usually a two distillation process, the picture on the right is the final spirit still and the unusual condenser at the top is clearly visible that causes a reflux of the heavier spirits which gives Ardbeg its characteristic light and peaty flavour.

It is, as you might guess, amongst my favourite whiskies.

The raw spirit passes through the spirit safe in accordance with HM Customs law and is stored and recycled in complex and mysterious ways until it is perfect for making the final, malt product.

And finally the barrels, these are empty in the filling shed, waiting to turn the raw, clear, fiery spirit into the amber nectar that is Ardbeg malt.

Thanks to the folks at the distillery for a wonderful tour, it costs £2 (2003 season) for all over 16 year olds, younger children are free. The tour ends with an opportunity to sample several of the varieties of Ardbeg on sale in the shop.