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The road down to Caol Ila between trees, the hills of Jura across the water, in black and white.
Isle of Islay

Caol Ila Distillery

The distillery on the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig, the Islay Home of Johnnie Walker, looking across to Jura.

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Welcome

Caol Ila, said Cull Eela, takes its name from the Gaelic for the Sound of Islay, the narrow strait between Islay and Jura, and the distillery stands right on it, about a mile from the ferry at Port Askaig, looking across to the Paps of Jura.

It has made whisky here since 1846 and is one of the island's largest producers, with both a peated and an unpeated single malt.

Since it reopened in August 2022 it has been the Islay Home of Johnnie Walker, one of four distilleries around Scotland whose whiskies go into it. The signature Flavour Journey tour takes 90 minutes, through the distillery and a sensory story room to a tutored tasting of three drams and a small cocktail in the bar, with the Paps across the water. Book ahead, especially in summer and at festival time. The distillery opens Sunday to Thursday, and the bar serves from 10am to 4pm; under-18s must be with an adult.

A short drive awayBallygrant InnA family-run inn near Port Askaig with rooms, home cooking and an award-winning whisky bar.7 min by roadSee itThe long bar at the Ballygrant Inn, stools along the counter and shelves of whisky behind.
Before you go

Open Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm from March to October and 10am to 4pm from November to February; closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

The distillery is just off the A846 about a mile from Port Askaig; a bus stop at the end of the road is a 15-minute walk away. Book ahead.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen or Port Askaig, or fly from Glasgow to Islay Airport.
Hours
Sun to Thu; closed Fri and Sat.
Tour
Flavour Journey, 90 minutes.

Opening hours

Monday
10am–5pm
Tuesday
10am–5pm
Wednesday
10am–5pm
Thursday
10am–5pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
10am–5pm
Where it is

Caol Ila, near Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7RL.

Close byNear Port Askaig.
  1. Masked woman packs boxes in a pottery studio lined with unglazed ceramics and paint bottlesPersabus Pottery, Ceramics and ArtA pottery and art studio on a working farm near Port Askaig, where you can paint your own pot.1 mile 5 min by road
  2. Port AskaigPort AskaigIslay's northern ferry port, a tiny white village on the Sound of Islay, half a mile across the water from Jura.2 miles 5 min by road
  3. Jura Ferry, Port Askaig to FeolinJura Ferry, Port Askaig to FeolinThe council car ferry across the Sound of Islay, ten minutes from Port Askaig on Islay to Feolin on Jura.2 miles 15 min by road
  4. Bowmore DistilleryBowmore DistilleryThe distillery on the shore of Loch Indaal in the middle of Bowmore, with tours, tastings and a whisky bar.11 miles 19 min by road
  5. Bruichladdich DistilleryBruichladdich DistilleryA Victorian distillery on Loch Indaal making Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Octomore and The Botanist gin.14 miles 23 min by road
Directions
The long bar at the Ballygrant Inn, stools along the counter and shelves of whisky behind.BarsBallygrant Inn3.3 miles
Two crumbling stone gables of a ruined castle rise beside a lochAttractionsFinlaggan Castle3.5 miles
FinlagganAttractionsFinlaggan3.6 miles
Camus an Staca standing alone on the moor above the Sound of Jura.AttractionsCamus an Staca7.0 miles
Shelves of Jura whisky bottles in the distillery shop.AttractionsIsle of Jura Distillery10 miles
ToursJura Guided10 miles
The Jura Hotel's restaurant with its tables laid under a painted ceiling.RestaurantsThe Jura Hotel Restaurant10 miles
Tables and chairs in the wood-panelled room at the Antlers in Craighouse.ShoppingThe Antlers10 miles
The Jura Community Shop, a timber building with a red telephone box beside it in Craighouse.ShoppingJura Community Shop10 miles
The Daily for 19 October, from Scotland with love. bare tree stumps standing in an autumn loch, forested hills reflected in the still water

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