Caol
Ila Distillery
Caol Ila Distillery (pronounced 'cull-eela') is situated on
the north eastern shores of Islay, with magnificent views
across the Sound of Islay to the spectacular Paps of Jura.
For more than 100 years small coal-fired “puffers”
(boats) like the SS Pibroch brought barley, coal and empty
casks to the Caol Ila distillery, returned with whisky through
the sound that divides Islay and Jura. Although the 'puffers'
no longer exist, the barley is still malted locally at Port
Ellen and the pure spring water still rises from limestone
in nearby Loch nam Ban.
That tradition has passed. And other changes have taken place
– like when the old distillery became outdated and was
replaced by a new, £1 million building in 1974. Craftsmen
faithfully reproduced the six stills from the original design
to ensure the distinctive quality of Caol Ila™ remained.
Of course, not everything has changed. The barley used here
is still malted locally at Port Ellen and pure spring water
still rises from limestone in nearby Loch nam Ban, then falls
to the sea at Caol Ila in a clear crystal stream, just as
it always has. Their offspring is a fine-ageing malt reserved
in oak casks for up to eighteen years.
Talk of offspring brings us to the descendants of generations
past who keep traditions alive. Billy Stitchell is the manager
of the distillery and has worked there for years. As did his
father, both his grandfathers and his great-grandfather –
their unbroken line is proof that traditions matter round
here - all the more valuable, now that eleven men do work
once done by thirty-two.
The result of their craft and skill is an easy-going single
malt whisky of dry, sea air aromas and pleasing smoky-smoothness.
Anyone who visits this magical island soon finds that Islay
is home to some of the great malt whiskies. Caol Ila™
is certainly one of them, whose discovery is one of life’s
great pleasures.
Tour times for 2010:
Tour costs £6 and includes a complimentary Caol Ila
tour glass and entry into Lagavulin distillery.
Weekdays:
15th February - 2nd April:
Monday-Friday 1330-1630 with a tour at 1400 and 1515
April - November:
Monday-Friday 0915-1700 with tours at 0930, 1045, 1345, 1515
November - December:
Monday-Friday 1330-1630 with a tour at 1400 and 1515
Saturdays:
April – June:
1330-1630 with a tour at 1345 and 1515
June – October:
1000-1630 with tours at 1045,1345 and 1515
Premium Tour and Tasting - Tour costs
£10 - Every Monday and Friday at 1045 from Monday 5th
April - 1st November. Booking advisable Children under eight
are welcome but are not permitted into production areas.
Tour of the distillery followed by an instructive tasting
of some of the whiskies in the Caol Ila range.
• Taste some of the finest whiskies on the planet,
in the best location on earth.
• Explore the difference between peated and unpeated
whiskies
• An opportunity to taste our distillery only bottling
• Join us and raise your glasses to the Paps
Visits must be booked in advance and are subject to availability.
• Booking is advisable but not essential
• Parties of 10 or may enquire for availability out
with these times/days
• Children under eight are welcome but are not permitted
into production areas
Contact Us
Caol Ila Distillery,
Port Askaig, Isle of Islay
Tel: +44 (0) 1496 302760
Fax: +44 (0) 1496 302763
Email: Caol
Ila Distillery
Site Operations Manager: Billy Stitchell
Courtesy of Caol Ila Distillery
|
Caol
Ila is the Gaelic name for the Sound of Islay, which separates
the island from Jura in one of the most remote and beautiful
parts of Scotland's West Coast. The distillery is situated
on the shores of the Sound, a spot originally chosen in 1846
partly because of the clean water from Loch Nam Ban, which
still provides its main supply. And even today you can still
watch the seals in the Sound from the still room.
‘Caol
Ila™ has remained undiscovered by many. However, its
deserving rise in popularity saw the release of three new
age statements in June 2002. This malt is a fantastically
balanced Islay with juniper and wet grass/light salt fish
subtleties.’ David Broom, whisky writer and expert.
