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 And other changes have taken place – like when the old distillery became outdated and was replaced by a new, £1 million building in 1974.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.

Opening Times

March 2008
Tours by appointment only

April 2008 to October 2008
Open Mondays to Fridays - 0915 to 1600

Tours at 0930; 1045; 1345 & 1500 (by appointment only)

Please note that occasionally we need to restrict or modify tours for operational reasons.

Admission
£4.00 - This charge includes a discount voucher which is redeemable in the distillery shop towards the purchase of a 750ml bottle of single malt whisky.

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

More Caol Ila Information...