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Kilchoman: Islay's farm distillery that unites tradition and courage in every drop
After more than 125 years without a new distillery on Islay, Kilchoman rose in 2005 at Rockside Farm as the island's first farm distillery. The vision was simple but ambitious: to create a 100% Islay single malt, where every step, from the barley fields to bottling, takes place on the island. Founder Anthony Wills turned his back on mass production and bet on transparency and terroir instead, and the result speaks for itself in whiskies such as Machir Bay and 100% Islay.
The history of the distillery
Kilchoman was established among the windswept fields of western Islay. From the start they planted their own barley and revived floor malting, a time-consuming method that only a few Scotch distilleries still use. The first spirit ran from the stills in December 2005, and the first release followed as early as 2009, immediately convincing critics that young whisky can be complex when made with care.
Production and craftsmanship
The distillery works with two pairs of pot stills producing only around 480,000 litres of spirit a year, almost microscopic by Scottish standards. About 30% of the malt is home-grown barley (20 ppm), while the rest comes from Port Ellen Maltings (50 ppm), allowing them to play with both smoky and more elegant profiles. Casks are mainly ex-bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace and Oloroso sherry hogsheads. The salty Atlantic climate in the warehouses gives the whisky a maritime edge, while the cask combinations round it off with vanilla, dried fruit and roasted nuts.
Location and surroundings
Islay is known as “The Queen of the Hebrides” and is famous for its peat smoke, but also for its harsh coastal microclimate. Kilchoman lies just a few hundred metres from Machir Bay, where the surf and constant winds leave their mark on the casks as notes of seaweed and salt. The farm's own fields frame the distillery and give visitors a rare chance to see the full cycle of a single malt without leaving the site.
Visits and experiences
Guests can follow the grain's journey from the malting floor to the gleaming copper stills, taste cask samples in the warehouse and finish in the café with local produce. Book a tour via the distillery's official website kilchomandistillery.com, where you will also find information on seasonal opening hours and special tastings.
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How do you visit the distillery?
Book online and drive along the A846 from Port Charlotte; parking is available at the farm. -
What characterises their whisky?
Malt from their own farm, clear peat smoke combined with fresh citrus and maritime notes. -
When was the distillery founded?
In 2005 by Anthony Wills, the first new Islay distillery since 1881. -
Which releases are most popular?
Machir Bay, Sanaig, Loch Gorm and the annual 100% Islay Limited Edition. -
Is every step really done on Islay?
Yes, barley, malting, distillation, maturation and bottling all take place at Rockside Farm.
