Follow your nose along the famous road from Port Ellen and you will eventually come to the most welcoming distillery on the island. Ardbeg's white-washed walls can be found nestling in a rocky cove on Islay's southern tip.

Who would believe that back in 1981, the distillery fell silent and was mothballed, with only very small scale distilling resuming in 1989.
Between 1990 and 1996, it opened and closed with monotonous regularity, before finally closing, seemingly for good, in 1996.
Fortunately in 1997, to the delight of fans all over the world Glenmorangie plc rescued Ardbeg and a team of dedicated souls set about repairing and reviving the distillery (not to mention repainting it!).

Now, once again Ardbeg flows freely. And in the Old Kiln Cafe you can enjoy a dram and Mary's celebrated home-cooking. You can also tour the place with the distillery folk and pick up a bottle or two from the Old Kiln Shop. So do visit - we'd love to see you.

In this section, you can hear a welcoming word from the Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee and Distillery Manager, Michael Heads, discover the history of Ardbeg and acquaint yourself with Islay by using our island map.

If you'd like to visit us in person, visitor opening times are: September-May, Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. June-August, 7 days a week, 10am-5pm. Pre-booking for tours is advisable. Please note that the distillery closes during the Christmas holiday period.