Scotland has the highest number of distilleries per capita of any country in the world. This is not because us Scots drink it all ourselves, but because we are the kind generous type that share this great drink with you and everyone else in the world.

With many of Scotland’s distilleries located around the coast, there is an unique opportunity for all types of sea goers to sail and tour these magnificent whisky producing distilleries.

Talisker Whisky

To give you a flavour of what it is like, here are 5 coastal distilleries that you can sail to:

1. Jura Distillery – located on the small island of Jura, the distillery was opened in 1810 and having fallen into disrepair, it was revitalised in 1960’s by two locals. Today the distillery produces a variety of uniquely flavoured malts using traditional methods which has won them numerous awards including the 2006 Gold Quality award.

2. Tobermory Distillery – located on the Isle of Mull, the distillery was opened in 1798 making it one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland. It is not just unique due to its picturesque location, but because of its two different and alluring single malts that it produces; the un-peated and fruity Tobermory and the robust and smoky Ledaig.

3. Oban Distillery – one of the smallest and oldest distilleries in the country predating the town of Oban itself, with the distillery being established in 1794. It is renowned for its 14 year Old West Highland Malt Whisky that offers full bodied fruity malt with a note of heather and a hint of smoke.

4. Talisker Distillery – being the only distillery on the Isle of Skye, Talisker Distillery is situated on the shores of Loch Harport in the village of Carbost. The distillery is famous for producing its unique sweet, full bodied 10 year old single malt whisky.

5. Laphroaig Distillery – located on the South Island of Islay at the head the head of Loch Laphroaig, the distillery was established in 1825. To date the distillery has been run by a small dedicated team of islanders that work hard to create what is one of the most unique and distinctive single malts in the world. The Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Whisky is a full bodied, holding a peaty, smoky and slight saltiness character. 

Image Credits:
– Large Image: Patrick Slang
– Body Image: Christian Kadluba

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