Malting


Islay is one of the Scottish isles which make up the region known as the `Islands’ in the lexicon of whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands.

The Islands region also includes the Orkney Islands, off the far north coast of Scotland, and the islands all the way down the West coast - Skye, Mull, Arran and Jura. All these islands produce whiskies in which the maritime influences are noticeable. It is in Islay however, that the peaty, smoky tasting malts can be found, with those in the south of the island producing spirit with a particularly intense, heavy peaty flavour.

Bowmore Distillery's close proximity to the sea is vital in determining the final character of Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, as is the strict adherence to the traditional production methods handed down to Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd in 1963, by its four previous owners.

Bowmore Distillery is one of an ever decreasing handful of distilleries to produce its own floor malted barley. The barley is still laboriously hand turned, by the Maltman, using the traditional wooden malt shovel. The maltings at Bowmore Distillery are very much alive and part of the production process and for visitors to the distillery, seeing a working maltings floor is a rare and special sight.