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| Whisky Information |
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| We are very fortunate in having not one but two very well versed connoisseurs with unbeatable knowledge on the history of Scottish malts. Both Murdo MacLeod and Mathew will be only too glad to advise you when it comes to the many malts proudly displayed on the Grey Gull gantry. Recommendations can be made to assist you choose your preferred tipple during your stay here at the Grey Gull Inn. There are five distilleries in the West Highlands, three on islands and two on the mainland. The island distilleries are: Jura (Isle of Jura), Ledaig / Tobermory (Isle of Mull) and Talisker (Isle of Skye). The mainland distilleries are: Oban (in Oban) and Ben Nevis (at Fort William).
The Island of Islay is the most southern of the Western Isles, and lies on the eastern
side of Kintyre. It is flat and green and very largely composed of peat - the water on the island is brown with it. Winter gales drive salt spray far inland, and this saturates the peat, which is dried again by the briny, seaweed breeze. All these characteristics go into the whiskies of Islay. |
| Campbeltown is the only town of any size in Kintyre and was certainly one of the first centres of commercial distilling. Campbeltown whiskies themselves had a reputation to rival Speyside. Between 1880 and the 1920s, there were thirty-four working distilleries here, producing some 2 million gallons of spirit per annum. Campbeltown at one point was
'the whisky capital'. Today there are only two distilleries, Springbank and Glen Scotia. |
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Islay Malts Characteristics |
Islay malts tend to be dry and peaty. Behind the smoke, however, can be gentle mossy scents, and some spice. The southern Islay distilleries produce powerfully phenolic whiskies, with aromas redolent of tar, smoke, iodine and carbolic. Bowmore, in the middle of the island, shares these characteristics but is not quite so powerful, as does Caol Ila. Bruichladdich and
Bunnahabhain are lighter and much less smoky. All Islay malts have a dry finish, the southern ones boast quite a bite.
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West Highland Malts' Characteristics |
West Highland malts are much less peated than their southern cousins in Islay, although they all have at least a whiff of smoke and a mildly phenolic flavour. If there is a uniting factor it is the sweet start and the dryish, peppery finish of these whiskies, particularly Talisker and Oban. The brand Tobermory is a vatted malt, not a single malt.
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Campbeltown Malts' Characteristics |
Campbeltown malts are traditionally full-flavoured and full-bodied whiskies, famous for their depth of flavour and for their slightly salty tang in the finish. They were referred to as "The Hector of the West, the deepest voice in the choir". The overall impression is often compared to 'sea mist'.
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The Grey Gull Inn boasts the
Finest Whisky Collection in the whole of Argyll |
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