Kilchoman is Islay‘s farm distillery — a modern pioneer that, when it opened in 2005, became the first new distillery built on the island in 124 years. It has since won worldwide acclaim for its true “field-to-bottle” whisky made using barley grown on its own land.
History of Kilchoman
Founded by Anthony Wills on Rockside Farm in the west of Islay, Kilchoman revived the island’s long-lost tradition of farm distilling. It remains independent and family-run, and carries out every stage of production on site — growing and malting barley, distilling, maturing and bottling — a rarity in modern Scotch.
The distillery today
Kilchoman operates its own floor maltings and grows a proportion of its own barley in the fields around the distillery. Its “100% Islay” release is made entirely from barley grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled on the island — an almost unique achievement in Scotch whisky.
The whisky
Kilchoman produces a fresh, vibrant, heavily peated Islay style with citrus and sweetness cutting through the smoke. The Machir Bay is its flagship, joined by the sherry-influenced Sanaig, the sherry-matured Loch Gorm, and the celebrated field-to-bottle 100% Islay releases.
Visiting Kilchoman
The farm distillery, near the beautiful Machir Bay beach, has a welcoming visitor centre and café and offers a fascinating look at small-scale, traditional, farm-based whisky making — a real highlight of the Islay whisky trail.
Explore the other distilleries in our guide to Islay whisky, our overview of Scotch whisky regions, and the best whisky distilleries to visit.
This guide is part of our complete Scotch whisky guide — explore the whisky regions, distilleries and how to plan a whisky trip.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kilchoman Distillery?
At Rockside Farm in the west of the Isle of Islay, near Machir Bay.
What is special about Kilchoman?
It is a farm distillery that grows its own barley and, for its 100% Islay release, carries out every step of production on the island.
When did Kilchoman open?
In 2005 — the first new distillery built on Islay in 124 years.
Is Kilchoman peated?
Yes — it produces a fresh, vibrant, heavily peated Islay single malt.
