Last updated: July 2026
Islay has nine working distilleries (with more on the way), and for a first-time visitor that choice can feel overwhelming. You cannot — and should not — try to do them all in one trip. This is our honest ranking of which distilleries to prioritise, judged not just on the whisky in the glass but on the whole visitor experience: the tours, the settings, the welcome and the sense of place. Use it to build a first Islay trip you will never forget.
How we ranked them
Great whisky is a given on Islay, so our ranking weighs the things that make a visit memorable — the quality and variety of tours, the beauty of the location, how welcoming the distillery is to newcomers, and how well it tells its story. Peat lovers and sherry fans will each have their own favourites, so treat this as a starting point, not gospel.
The ranking
1. Lagavulin
Lagavulin is the complete package: a world-class, richly smoky whisky, a beautiful bay setting beside the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, and excellent, well-run tours. Its 16 Year Old is a benchmark against which other Islay malts are measured. For a first Islay distillery, it is hard to beat.
2. Ardbeg
A short walk away, Ardbeg is the cult peat monster with one of whisky’s most devoted followings. Beyond the intensely smoky yet elegant drams, it has a superb café (the Old Kiln) and a buzzing, friendly atmosphere that makes it a joy to visit.
3. Bowmore
Bowmore is the oldest distillery on Islay, right in the island capital, so it is the easiest to reach. Its legendary below-sea-level No.1 Vaults warehouse is one of the most atmospheric maturation spaces in Scotland, and its balanced style is a great introduction to Islay.
4. Bruichladdich
Progressive, playful and fiercely independent, Bruichladdich is the best distillery for understanding terroir and provenance. It makes unpeated malt, the heavily peated Port Charlotte and the record-breaking Octomore — plus The Botanist gin — so there is something for everyone.
5. Laphroaig
Laphroaig is the most divisive malt of all, its medicinal, seaweedy character loved and loathed in equal measure. Its characterful tours, working floor maltings and the famous “Friends of Laphroaig” plot make it a fascinating visit whichever camp you fall into.
6. Kilchoman
Kilchoman is Islay’s farm distillery, with a lovely “field-to-bottle” story — it grows and malts its own barley on site. Set near beautiful Machir Bay in the west, it offers an intimate, small-scale contrast to the big names.
7. Caol Ila
Caol Ila is Islay’s biggest distillery, yet one of its quietest to visit, with a lighter, oilier smoky style and simply spectacular views across the Sound of Islay to the Paps of Jura.
8. Bunnahabhain
Reached by a scenic single-track road, Bunnahabhain is the gentle, largely unpeated outlier — rich, sherried and maritime — in a wonderfully remote north-coast setting.
9. Ardnahoe
The island’s newest distillery (opened 2019), Ardnahoe has a smart visitor centre, a good café and arguably the finest views on Islay, looking straight across to Jura. A polished, modern experience.
10. Jura (bonus)
Technically a short ferry away, Jura makes an easy and rewarding “tenth distillery” for anyone with a spare day, combining a dram with a trip to one of Scotland’s wildest islands.
How to plan your visits
Do no more than two tours a day, and use a designated driver, a taxi or a guided tour so that everyone can taste. Group the distilleries by geography to minimise driving: the Kildalton trio (Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg) in the south; Bowmore, Bruichladdich and Kilchoman in the middle and west; and Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain and Ardnahoe in the north. Book tours well ahead, especially around the Fèis Ìle festival in late May when they sell out fast.
Which to choose if you only have time for a few
Short on time? For a first taste of Islay, do Lagavulin and Ardbeg on the south shore (walkable together) plus Bowmore in the capital. Add Bruichladdich or Kilchoman if you want contrast, and Caol Ila for the views. That handful captures the full range of the island’s styles.
Planning the rest of your trip
See how long you need in our Islay itinerary guide, follow our ready-made 3-day whisky itinerary, sort your travel with ferry vs flight, and read the wider Islay whisky guide.
This guide is part of our complete Argyll & the Isles travel guide — browse islands, itineraries, distilleries, beaches and castles across the region.
Frequently asked questions
How many distilleries are there on Islay?
Nine are currently in production, with more planned. Adding a trip to Jura makes an easy “tenth”.
Which Islay distillery is best for first-timers?
Lagavulin offers the best all-round first visit — great whisky, a lovely setting and excellent tours — with Ardbeg and Bowmore close behind.
How many distilleries can you visit in a day on Islay?
Two tours is a comfortable maximum; three is possible with a driver if you skip long lunches.
Which Islay distilleries are closest together?
Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Ardbeg on the south (Kildalton) coast are within walking distance of one another.
Do you need to book Islay distillery tours in advance?
Yes — they sell out, especially in summer and around Fèis Ìle in late May.
Which Islay whisky is the least peaty?
Bunnahabhain’s signature style is largely unpeated, making it the gentlest introduction; Bruichladdich also makes unpeated malt.
