The Distillery

Ardbeg has been called “as close to perfection as makes no difference,” by whisky connoisseurs. Proof then, that Ardbeg truly deserves its incredible reputation. It’s a whisky that’s worshipped around the world. Six different Ardbeg expressions have won prestigious titles including World Whisky of the Year, Scotch Whisky of the Year and World’s Best Single Malt.

Image without a name
Ardbeg Distillery, Port Ellen, Islay, PA42 7EA
Image without a name

You are entering Islay time...

Image without a name


The small, remote Scottish island of Islay (pronounced 'eye-lah') is an antique land. A wild and untamed place, where Celtic monks found refuge from raiding Norsemen and early distillers smuggled their illicit "aquavitae" at Ardbeg's rugged rocky cove.

Abundant soft water, fertile soil and acres of precious peat makes this island a place of pilgrimage for the single malt whisky faithful. And none more so than our very own Ardbeg, unquestionably the greatest distillery on Earth.

For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on Islay. Some people travel to Ardbeg along the winding road from Port Ellen. Others follow their nose, their destiny or the advice of a good friend.

How to get here

Car ferry

Kennacraig - Port Ellen/Port Askaig

2 hours

Air

Glasgow - Islay

30 minutes

Taxi/Bus

Car Hire

Discover some lesser known Islay facts...

The population of the village of Ardbeg numbered 200 at its height in the 1800s. Today Ardbeg inhabitants number less than 20. Or the ‘lucky few’, as we like to call them.
The source of Ardbeg’s water, Loch Uigeadail, is a punishing hike up into the hills above the Distillery. Not for the fainthearted! Visitors are required to perform the Loch and Key ritual and return a dram to the Loch.
There are no traffic signals on Islay, apart from frequent friendly waves from fellow motorists.
The magnificent carved stone Kildalton Cross is one of the finest and earliest examples of a Christian cross in Scotland. The Ardbeg Distillery sits within the parish of Kildalton and Oa.
Islay's 42,000 sheep can often be found wandering on roads. The main cause of traffic hold ups on the way to Ardbeg.
If you lined up all the sheep on Islay end-to-end you’d be a total legend.
Click Tap