Islay and The Bowmore Cottages: A Distillation of Excellence

For the dedicated aficionado of whisky, certain global focal points exude an irresistible allure, buoyed upon centuries of committed craftsmanship and a profound relationship with the landscape. 

The connoisseurs of all things Bourbon-related may undertake their pilgrimages to the dust-strewn distilleries of Kentucky and Tennessee, keen to uncover the heritage and delights of Pappy’s and their kin. Those seeking the (supposed) origins of the whiskies of the British Isles will congregate around Bushmills in County Antrim. The apostate trendsetters, with their palates centred on the admittedly remarkable output of the Far East, will trek their way through the winding streets of Osaka to pay homage to the spring waters of Yamazaki. Those who know, however, that Scotch Single Malt whiskies reign supreme will inevitably wash up on the rocky shores of Islay. 

The Scottish island of Islay (pronounced eye-lah, for those wishing not to be more red-faced than is natural while throwing back the drams) is a brisk twenty-minute Loganair flight from Glasgow International Airport, and has been home to its quintessentially peaty, smoky and multi-layered culture of distillation since the early 18th century. With whisky tourism experiencing yet another evergreen boomtime, the Hebridean outcrop – quite literally held up by stratum upon stratum of thick, heavy black peat – continues to impress and astonish those in search of the potent results of all that unique heritage. 

With 2025’s crop of spirit-driven explorers demanding more experience, more flavour and more immersion in the realm of distillation, its principal producers (The Bowmore and Laphroaig, the hallowed top two of the nine establishments on the island) have upped the ante when it comes to their high-end offerings. The results, quite frankly, are more than worth the visit – it’s difficult to imagine a more fitting retreat for those who recognise whisky as more than something with which to relax at the end of a long day, but rather a love affair with the utmost excellence. 

The Bowmore, whose output is adored for its multi-faceted character and intense peat character, sits prettily on the Islay coast. Its iconic whitewashed walls and bold black iconography is nothing less than visually synonymous with Scotland’s whisky tourism scene, making it a bonafide must-see stop on any dedicated tour. To further envelope its guests in the experiential aspect of such a visit, the distillery has refurbished a collection of exclusive cottages on its own grounds. The cottages allow guests to enjoy a home-from-home stay within sight – and smell – of its production centre, and are beautifully bedecked in iconic Bowmore deep blue, black and grey tartan fittings, alongside expansive bedrooms, self-catering kitchens and cosy lounge areas in which to sample the wares picked up throughout the day. 

I was delighted to stay in The Old Bakery – the largest of the cottages – which offers multiple bedrooms and living spaces. For family holidays, trips away with friends or special occasions with a whisky-flavoured hue, it’s hard to think of anywhere finer. While more intimate cottages for couples and smaller groups flank each side and offer varying price points, there’s something thrilling about sharing the living heritage of this accommodation option with a gathering of fellow impassioned whisky lovers. A large garden space (ideal for al fresco drinking on a summer’s evening) overlooks the crashing waves and the inimitable and imposing view of the distillery, and lucky visitors may catch the northern lights on clear winter nights. Even when overcast and blustery, it’s an evocative backdrop to a trip meticulously designed to engage and enliven the senses. 

On the subject of enlivening the senses, the Hebridean island of Islay delivers in another manner close to my heart. The cold waters of the north Atlantic produce some of the finest seafood to be found anywhere on Earth (indeed, the lauded markets of everywhere from San Sebastian to Sicily heave with Scottish crustaceans), and Islay’s food scene revels in such delights by the literal bucketful.

A three-minute walk from The Bowmore cottages will find you in the sumptuous surrounds of the Lochside Hotel – unassuming from the outside, yet offering a strikingly beautiful sea view and a menu that presents no shortage of treats for those on the search for shellfish. Among the Lochside’s specialties include the most generous portion of langoustines – surely the most iconic and irresistible of all Scotland’s seafood items – I’ve ever seen, as well as an equally bounteous portion of juicy, fat and glistening scallops, cooked and seasoned to perfection by the deft hand of a kitchen that knows its way around a bivalve and a block of butter. 

The restaurant also offers a uniquely Islay taste sensation – the oyster luge. The concept is thrillingly simple; a shucked oyster, simply dressed and shucked, slipped into the mouth. The empty shell is then filled with (what else?) whisky, which immediately follows. Briny, smoky, intense, awakening – it’s the essence of Islay, encapsulated against mother of pearl. Sold. 

Onwards, out into the fresh Atlantic air and onto the notoriously careening roads that typify the more far-flung corners of the British Isles. The Bowmore launched a fruitful partnership with Aston Martin in 2022, combining two brands which place a tangible emphasis on quality, distinction and the rewards that arise from the celebration of heritage. The Aston Martin Experience invites visitors to tour the island in a luxuriously-fitted SUV, decadently festooned with the ever-present Bowmore tartan and a host of other custom additions.

Taken at pace, the peat bogs of Islay fly by dramatically, adding a touch of adrenaline between distillery tours and other island highlights, before completing at The Bowmore for a tasting of Aston Martin’s signature cask whisky (exclusively available for those participating in the experience). It’s an intimate and rewarding encounter with brilliance, and one Aston Martin acolytes should add to their bucket lists. 

Islay may be a small, sparsely-populated and windswept outcrop of the Hebrides, a world away from the frenetic pace of Glasgow, the breathtaking vistas of the Highlands or the Regency gothic elegance of Edinburgh. However, it’s an island more than punching above its weight when it comes to authenticity, unspoilt nature (the 2-hour Islay Encounters wildlife walk I partook in revealed a white tailed eagle, a golden eagle, a hen harrier and a plethora of red and fallow deer) and heritage.

For whisky lovers and those on the hunt for a getaway drenched in some of the finest spirits to be bottled anywhere in any age, Islay is not just a trip – it’s an inevitability. 

Islay Essentials:

  • Bridgend Restaurant – picturesque fine dining with a magnificent wine and whisky list, and the best sticky toffee pudding and whisky pairing imaginable.
  • Laphroaig and Bowmore distillery tours – a deep dive into the histories and flavours of two iconic Islay producers.
  • The Islay Whisky Vault – a complete collection of Islay’s legendary bottles, with cosy tasting room
  • The Islay Woolen Mill – ancestral traditional tartan mill, home to fabrics produced for an array of Hollywood movies and heads of state, and a shop in which to stock up on fabrics and products
  • Islay Encounters – guided nature tours across the peat bogs and crags with a knowledgeable guide and tracker

 Loganair flies to Islay from Glasgow with daily flights.  

Benjamin Mitrofan-Norris

As The Review’s Lifestyle Editor, Benjamin Norris takes the matter of his lifestyle both immensely seriously and perilously lightly, often in the same afternoon. A seasoned wine writer and specialist in perfumery, luxury hospitality, horology, gastronomy and more, he is an unwavering devotee to life’s finer things. Often found in Baltic capitals, Eastern European vineyards, dive bars and fine dining establishments alike, all while working as a copywriter for several of the world’s leading luxury brands, Norris brings a distinctive global swagger to luxury journalism.

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