ISLAY

The southernmost of its island chain, Islay is known as ‘The Queen of the Hebrides’ – and is certainly the reigning monarch of a typically smoky, peaty style of single malt whisky. But there’s much more to this beating heart of distillation, which has eight active producers – and more to come.

Kilchoman Machir Bay

Built in 2005, Kilchoman (pronounced kill-Ho-man) is one of the newest distilleries in Scotland and the first distillery to be established on Islay in over 124 years. Kilchoman is the ultimate farm to bottle distillery - they grow their own barley on a plot of land next to the distillery. Named after the most spectacular beach on Islay, Machir Bay is the flagship of the Kilchoman range. Machir Bay is a unique and complex combination of ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts. Machir Bay was first launched in 2012 when it won the prestigious IWSC 2012 Gold Award and more recenty in 2016 it was awarded best Islay Single Malt at the IWC. “Machir Bay has a beautiful balance of vanilla, smokey butterscotch and rich fruitiness each contributing in complexity and combining to create a truly unique Islay dram” John MacLellan, Distillery Manager

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