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Visitor Information: Bowmore Distillery |
Bowmore Distillery, one of the oldest in Scotland, has stood on the shores of Loch Indaal, on the Hebridean Island of Islay, since 1779.
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Its close proximity to the sea is vital in determining the final character of Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, as is the strict adherence to the traditional production methods handed down over generations of owners.
Bowmore Distillery is one of an ever-decreasing handful of distilleries to produce its own floor malted barley. The barley is still laboriously hand turned, by the Maltman, using the traditional wooden malt shovel. Exactly as his father, grandfather and great grandfather did in the past.
Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced using water from the Laggan River. Having spent 2000 years percolating through the rock in the hills above, the river gathers the flavours of the rich Islay Peat, the same Peat that fires the Malt drying kiln.
 Floor Malted Barley |
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 Bowmore Vaults(Image Courtesy of Bowmore) |
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 Peat cutting on Islay (Image Courtesy of Bowmore) |
The famous Bowmore Vaults are where Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky spends nearly all of its life. For many decades it rests quietly in the damp cellars below sea level. The Spanish and American Oak Casks impart rich and mellow flavours to the maturing whisky.
Peat, water, wood, people and tradition accumulate to create the subtle, warm and smoky character of Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. You can find out more about Making Malt Whisky from our series of feature pages showing the stages in the process.
Opening Hours and Tour Times
Easter to June: Monday to Saturdays, 09.00-17.00, Tours 10.00, 11.00, 14.00, 15.00.
July to mid-September: Monday to Sunday, 09.00-17.00, Tours 10.00, 11.00, 14.00, 15.00.
Mid-September to Easter: Monday to Friday, 09.00-17.00 and Saturday 09.00-12.00. Monday to Friday tours at 10.00, 11.00, 14.00, 15.00. Saturday tour at 10.00.
Groups welcome by prior appointment.
Admission
Admission and Guided Tour:
£4.00 per adult, £2.00 for OAPs. No charge for under 18s.
Craftsman’s Tour (by prior appointment) £22.00 per adult.
Facilities
Car parking, toilets,
ramps for wheelchairs, also car parking and toilets for the disabled.
Shop
With a full range of Bowmore
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and a wide selection of branded merchandise
for sale.
Contact:
Bowmore Distillery Visitor
Centre
Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Argyll, Scotland, PA43 7JS
Tel/Fax: +44
(0)1496 810671
Bowmore Distillery is located in the centre of Bowmore, Islay's main village. If you are approaching from Port Askaig or Port Charlotte you follow Shore Street into Bowmore and where the road turns left by the harbour, the distillery is obviously straight ahead of you.
Coming from Port Ellen or Islay Airport by the main road you come past the Round Church and descend Main Street towards the harbour. Just before you reach it, the distillery comes into view on your left.
