Photo Essay: Islay Experience

The bouquet swept over me like a wave as I set foot into the courtyard of Bruichladdich distillery. The sweet, rich cereal aroma of roasted barley being steeped in hot water brought this Victorian-era distillery to life for me upon my arrival. When anxiously planning my visit to Islay, I had pored over photographs, maps and stories but nothing could prepare me for the wonderful scents of a living, breathing traditional whisky distillery.

I endured a 5,000 mile ordeal involving airplanes, buses and a ferry trekking from my home to this isolated corner of Scotland for the opportunity to spend the better part of a week working with the men and women of Bruichladdich distillery. I was here to study the craft of single malt Scotch whisky production, enrolled in the distillery’s academy program. I was hoping for one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences making my own spirit. I got that and much more. Living among the Ileachs for a week provided glimpses into life on this out-of-the-way Hebrides isle, where drivers passing on the narrow roads still take time to wave to each other and traffic jams involve wayward livestock as often as motor vehicles. Sure, I lived out a whisky aficionado’s dream distilling new spirit, filling barrels, and selecting mature casks for bottling. And the tutored whisky tastings led by industry veterans with a lifetime’s experience were fabulous. But beyond these pleasures, I was also treated to the genuine camaraderie of the people and the natural beauty of the island. I was greeted like an old friend, and welcomed into the daily activity of the lives of the locals; people went out of their way to ensure I was looked after. Remote single lane farm roads led to breathtaking coastal seascapes that were as remarkable for their solitude as for their beauty. I experienced rugged, rocky shores that sent crashing waves high into the salty air and expansive sandy beaches that were serene and calm. Both examples were within minutes of each other, and both were completely absent of other people – seclusion that was startling.

Though my week on Islay passed too quickly, the experience is still with me in my memories of the place and the sense of community, not to mention the distinctive scent that first greeted me. I will be back.