The green, craggy isle of Islay off Scotland's west coast is famous for its stunning scenery, wildlife and -- most of all -- its whisky. <strong>Scroll through to see more.</strong>
The green, craggy isle of Islay off Scotland's west coast is famous for its stunning scenery, wildlife and -- most of all -- its whisky. Scroll through to see more.
NELL LEWIS/CNN
Known as the "Whisky Isle," it is home to nine of Scotland's 145 active distilleries, with two more expected to open this year. Pictured here is Bowmore, the island's oldest licensed distillery, founded in 1779.
Known as the "Whisky Isle," it is home to nine of Scotland's 145 active distilleries, with two more expected to open this year. Pictured here is Bowmore, the island's oldest licensed distillery, founded in 1779.
NELL LEWIS/CNN
The industry is thriving, with large multinationals like Diageo and Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) buying up some of Islay's historic brands. Some new and smaller distilleries have also set up shop, such as Kilchoman, founded in 2005 -- the first to be built on the island in 124 years.
The industry is thriving, with large multinationals like Diageo and Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) buying up some of Islay's historic brands. Some new and smaller distilleries have also set up shop, such as Kilchoman, founded in 2005 -- the first to be built on the island in 124 years.
Kilchoman Distillery
Despite being a new player, Kilchoman prides itself on using traditional farm distilling methods. Located on a 2,300-acre farm, its annual barley crop goes towards whisky production, and it is one of the few distilleries to still practice traditional floor malting.
Despite being a new player, Kilchoman prides itself on using traditional farm distilling methods. Located on a 2,300-acre farm, its annual barley crop goes towards whisky production, and it is one of the few distilleries to still practice traditional floor malting.
Kilchoman Distillery
At Kilchoman, the peat is cut by hand from a local peat bank. It is then burned to heat the kiln -- giving Islay whisky that distinctive smoky, earthy flavor.
At Kilchoman, the peat is cut by hand from a local peat bank. It is then burned to heat the kiln -- giving Islay whisky that distinctive smoky, earthy flavor.
NELL LEWIS/CNN
In 2021, Kilchoman produced more than 600,000 liters of alcohol, 90% of which was exported to more than 60 markets, according to the distillery. Across Scotland, whisky sales reached a record high last year, with sales of more than £6 billion ($7.5 billion).
In 2021, Kilchoman produced more than 600,000 liters of alcohol, 90% of which was exported to more than 60 markets, according to the distillery. Across Scotland, whisky sales reached a record high last year, with sales of more than £6 billion ($7.5 billion).
Kilchoman Distillery
Whisky tourism is also rocketing. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Islay each year, which is accessible either by a two-hour ferry from the mainland or a 45-minute flight from Glasgow.
Whisky tourism is also rocketing. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Islay each year, which is accessible either by a two-hour ferry from the mainland or a 45-minute flight from Glasgow.
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Visitors come to tour the distilleries and taste a wee dram, and also to soak up the island's iconic scenery and meet friendly locals.
Visitors come to tour the distilleries and taste a wee dram, and also to soak up the island's iconic scenery and meet friendly locals.
NELL LEWIS/CNN
The taste of an Islay single malt whisky is closely related to the place, says Jackie Thomson, visitor manager of Ardbeg distillery: "I can smell the peat, I can smell the land ... It just sensorially connects me to the terrain and the landscape of Islay."
The taste of an Islay single malt whisky is closely related to the place, says Jackie Thomson, visitor manager of Ardbeg distillery: "I can smell the peat, I can smell the land ... It just sensorially connects me to the terrain and the landscape of Islay."
NELL LEWIS/CNN