Islay Distilleries

    Islay has 11 working whisky distilleries and two more sites in development. This page lists every one of them, grouped by where they sit on the island.

    South Coast (Kildalton & Port Ellen)

    • Ardbeg

      Operational

      Founded 1815 · The Glenmorangie Company (LVMH)

      Intensely peated, with a bright citrus and soot character

    • Lagavulin

      Operational

      Founded 1816 · Diageo

      Long fermentations and slow distillation; deep, rounded smoke

    • Laphroaig

      Operational

      Founded 1815 · Beam Suntory

      Still runs its own floor maltings and cuts its own peat; famously medicinal

    • Port Ellen

      Operational — reopened March 2024

      Founded 1825 (reopened 2024) · Diageo

      Reopened after 40 years silent; two pairs of stills, including experimental

    • Portintruan

      In development — licensed April 2026, preparing to open

      Founded In development · Elixir Distillers

      Traditional floor maltings paired with direct-fired stills — a combination unique on Islay; peated single malt planned

    Central Islay (Bowmore & Laggan)

    • Bowmore

      Operational

      Founded 1779 · Beam Suntory

      Medium peating with pronounced sherry-cask influence

    • Laggan Bay

      Operational — first cask filled 2 April 2026

      Founded 2026 · Ian Macleod Distillers, with the Islay Boys

      Islay's 11th working distillery; heavily peated make, one million litres of pure alcohol a year, first single malt not before 2029

    • Gartbreck Farm

      In development — at planning stage

      Founded Proposed · Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard)

      Proposed distillery and visitor centre; no spirit produced

    The Rhinns & West Coast

    • Bruichladdich

      Operational

      Founded 1881 · Rémy Cointreau

      Three distinct ranges: unpeated Bruichladdich, peated Port Charlotte and super-heavily peated Octomore

    • Kilchoman

      Operational

      Founded 2005 · Independent (Wills family)

      Farm distillery with its own floor maltings and estate-grown barley

    North & Northeast (Port Askaig)

    • Ardnahoe

      Operational

      Founded 2018 · Hunter Laing & Co.

      Peated spirit made with worm tub condensers

    • Bunnahabhain

      Operational

      Founded 1881 · Distell / Heaven Hill

      Traditionally unpeated and sherry-led, with peated releases alongside

    • Caol Ila

      Operational

      Founded 1846 · Diageo

      Islay's largest distillery by volume; lighter, cleaner smoke

    At a glance

    Islay distilleries with founding date, owner and current status
    DistilleryFoundedOwnerStatus
    Ardbeg1815The Glenmorangie Company (LVMH)Operational
    Ardnahoe2018Hunter Laing & Co.Operational
    Bowmore1779Beam SuntoryOperational
    Bruichladdich1881Rémy CointreauOperational
    Bunnahabhain1881Distell / Heaven HillOperational
    Caol Ila1846DiageoOperational
    Kilchoman2005Independent (Wills family)Operational
    Lagavulin1816DiageoOperational
    Laphroaig1815Beam SuntoryOperational
    Port Ellen1825 (reopened 2024)DiageoOperational — reopened March 2024
    Laggan Bay2026Ian Macleod Distillers, with the Islay BoysOperational — first cask filled 2 April 2026
    PortintruanIn developmentElixir DistillersIn development — licensed April 2026, preparing to open
    Gartbreck FarmProposedChivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard)In development — at planning stage

    Where to go next

    Whisky Deals & Distillery Specials