Visiting Islay for a peaty Scotch fix— recommendations?

[MountainD]

I’ll be visiting Islay to go to various distilleries (probably all of them on the Isle) and would love any recommendations on lodging/restaurants/sights to see outside of the distilleries while we are there! Anyone visit there that has some recommendations?

 

[mitherial]

Depending on how far astray you want to go, Tobermoray on the Isle of Mull is worth a visit (accessible by ferry from Oban, which has its own distillery). Skye is great too (Talisker is almost as good as Lagavulin)

 

[pmatusov]

Islay - Lagavulin and Laphroaig and Ardbeg are close by, and close to the port. Bowmore is a little further. Bunnahabhain is further away, and it is fun by itself. Beware, however: each distillery visit results in about half a pint of 100+ proof whiskey in your belly. I was glad my then-future son-in-law was driving.
We stayed in two of Islay Glamping Pods in Lagavulin Bay, it was awesome. I can hardly remember restaurants, we were so drunk.
Stop by Islay Woollen Mill - a very cool place.

 

[KW1985def110]

When I was there in the Fall, they make you designate a “Designated driver” prior to tastings and were very strict to not allow that designated driver to have any drinks. Just plan accordingly

 

[MountainD]

When I was there in the Fall, they make you designate a “Designated driver” prior to tastings and were very strict to not allow that designated driver to have any drinks. Just plan accordingly

Great to know! My wife hates peaty scotches

 

[SaintPanzer]

If it helps, at Talisker, my wife was the DD, but they gave her a "takeaway" set of the samples...

 

[pmatusov]

They do give "takeaway" samples at Islay distilleries, too!

 

[MountainD]

That is awesome. She’ll take those… and give them to me

 

[SaintPanzer]

That's what my wife did!

That is awesome. She’ll take those… and give them to me