One of the reasons we are here on Islay is a brewery from Netherland. I know, it doesn't make sense. But the story goes like this - last year we drank few beers from De Molen, brewery near Rotterdam, and we were delighted, especially with smoked imperial stout Hel&Verdoemenis (Bruichladdich peated). Then we found out that Bruichladdich is a distillery on Isle of Islay, and now here we are.
So, today we are visiting distilleries - Bruichladdich and Laphroaig.
In Bruichladdich we tried several single malt whiskies and there was one we really liked - heavily peated. Also, they have very good gin called Botanist. So it was time to start collecting souvenirs :)
Later we went to Laphroaig distilery tour and learned a lot about whisky-making process. And also about those dirt-thingies we took a picture of on Skye, and saw again here on Islay.
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| barley germination |
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| smoking with peat (that's what it is called) |
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| rooftop that can be found on their logo |
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| we even got these cups as souvenirs |
Now a little about the peat... In spring/summer they are taking the peat out of soil (actually, it is their soil, mossy and interestingly smelling) by hand tools for drying. It dries for few months in the open, during which time it takes even more aroma from sea air by rain and wind. It shouldn't be too dry cause it has to emit smoke. And then, in the process of making whisky, they burn the peat, it smokes the barley, and that is how they get that specific smell and taste of smoke that Islay whiskies are so known for.
Peat is also used for heating during the cold days all over Scotland - which is probably why we saw it on Skye, where there are no distilleries.
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| one of the places from where they are taking the peat out |
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| drying in the open |
After Laphroaig we cought a ferry from Port Ellen to Kennacraig and found a camp near Ardrishaig to sleep for tonight.
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