For Scotch whisky lovers, the ‘Queen of the Hebrides’, Islay, is considered by many to be the Mecca of whisky. 

Each year, thousands upon thousands of whisky drinkers from all over the globe make the pilgrimage to the Isle of Islay, to visit the most famous whisky producing region on the planet. If you’re a regular reader of the blogs here at Great Drams, you’ll also know how much I adore Islay. I mean, how could you not? With its stunning coastline, diverse array of wildlife, scenic countryside, and amazing seafood, it’s one of my favourite places to visit. And that’s before we even get to the whisky! 

Islay has a rich and storied history when it comes to whisky production, and is currently home to nine (ten if you count Port Ellen) working distilleries, with four more slated to open in the near future. Renowned for its peaty, smoky, maritime, medicinal notes and complex fruity undertones, Islay whisky is unmistakable. Indeed, the island relies heavily upon whisky tourism and has thrived in recent years. But ominous storm clouds could be gathering on the horizon. 

Here’s a look at why Islay’s whisky bubble may be set to burst if changes aren’t made. 

Economic Uncertainties

Without going all doom and gloom on you, or getting political, let’s just say that the global economy is currently about as stable as myself after I discover I’ve run out of my favourite single malt after a very rare bad day in the office.

We’re all feeling the financial pinch, and the spirits industry is no exception. What with high interest rates, stubborn inflation, political instability, high energy prices, taxes, tariffs, threats of tariffs and trade wars, and anything else you can think of, there’s always the risk of trouble. 

Put simply, it’s costing distilleries and whisky producers more to produce whisky, and their customers have less disposable income. If people have less money, they’ll likely have to cut back on treats and luxuries such as whisky. Don’t get me wrong, whisky sales are still up, but if sales hit a slump, distilleries across Islay will feel it massively. 

Overcrowding

Friendly competition is always good for business, and while more whisky distilleries is primarily a good thing, there are still risks to contend with. 

Islay, as mentioned, is considered by many to be the ultimate whisky-producing region and the spiritual home of whisky. It’s even been dubbed ‘whisky island’, and rightly so. Distilleries such as Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig are globally revered and have helped catapult peaty whisky into the public eye. The industry is in such a good place in fact, that there are multiple distilleries due to open up on the island in the near future, including the eagerly anticipated Laggan Bay distillery. 

Islay is currently home to 10 working distilleries, with Ardnahoe and Port Ellen being the newest kids on the block, and while more distilleries is generally a good thing, it does have its drawbacks, particularly when it comes to overcrowding and logistics. 

More distilleries will likely mean more tourists, and as Islay only has a population of around 3,200, it can see as many as 100,000 people visiting during peak summer months. With just two Co-op shops on the island (one in Bowmore and the other in Port Ellen, there are already concerns it’s becoming too crowded. With more tourists due to more distilleries, things aren’t going to quieten down. 

Infrastructural Restraints

What I love about Islay is the fact that it’s so rural and isolated. This was a deliberate choice in the early days of whisky distilling, as its rural and isolated location meant it was harder for the dreaded excisemen to visit, plus it meant they were easier to spot in advance. This allowed illegal distillers plenty of time to dismantle their setups and hide their illicit wares. 

To get to Islay, you either need to fly, or go by ferry. This means that there isn’t much traffic, and this is reflected in the roads. You’ll find no busy motorways or dual carriageways here, and travel links are lacking. 

As well as locally grown barley and local water supplies, you’d be surprised by just how many different things you need to run a whisky business. Distilleries can’t just pop down to the local wholesalers or place an online order for same-day delivery, there are many more hoops to jump through. Distilleries here will of course need materials to produce their whisky, much of which will need to come from the mainland. They’ll also need to get their whisky out of their warehouses to shop shelves. 

More distilleries will mean more ferries and more vehicles. Islay is simply not “built” for this. Most roads on Islay are designed for light traffic and are not able to cope with two vehicles on either side. Heavy lorries delivering materials and shipping out pallets of delicious Islay single malt for the rest of the world, are causing damage to the roads. More distilleries will mean more vehicles, more traffic, and more damage. Repairs and maintenance will of course be required. 

Any plans for investment in infrastructure, such as improved travel links, will almost certainly be met with incredibly fierce objections from locals, so what do you do? 

Anti-Social Behaviour

Listen, we all love a wee dram or two of whisky, or else we wouldn’t be here. Whisky can be good for the soul, but at the same time we all also know what happens when people drink too much whisky. 

During Feis Ile, which is one of the most famous whisky festivals in the world, as many as 25,000 people can descend upon Islay. Feis Ile, which is a celebration of music, malt whisky, and Islay itself, largely sees visitors behaving and having a great time. As always however, there can be a small percentage that can spoil it for everybody else. 

During Feis Ile in particular, locals find themselves increasingly frustrated as anti-social behaviour can breakout as people consume too much whisky. With shouting, screaming, fighting, littering, and petty vandalism all more common during the festival, organisers are under increasing pressure to clamp down. 

Islay is still one of the most tranquil and laid-back parts of the country, but during Feis Ile and busy periods during the summer, anti-social behaviour, largely driven by too much whisky, is giving locals more than a bit of a headache, and they aren’t afraid to let their feelings be known. 

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer. 

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.