Is this still Scotland?!

This morning we were awakened in our little tower room by the chirping of birds and the rays of sunshine.

We fortified ourselves for the day with a typical Scottish breakfast (haggis, beans, egg, bacon and toast). Today was the highlight of our trip, the Hebridean island of Islay.

The ferry crossing takes about two hours, so there was plenty of time for Verena to read and for Maxi to explore the ship.

Then the time had finally come. With (once again) radiant sunshine, we sailed into the port of Port Ellen.

The landscape we found here was definitely not what we expected, at least not in Scotland: white, fine sandy beach, clear turquoise water, and white houses shining in the sunlight.

We had to remind ourselves several times that this island is neither in Greece nor in the South Seas. To be honest, the temperatures of 16 degrees quickly brought us back to reality in Northern Europe.

Maxi wouldn't be Maxi if the first whisky tasting didn't await us shortly after our arrival.

In the Bruichladdich Distillery, we booked the Warehouse Experience, which meant that we were served samples directly from the barrels in the warehouse. - Bruichladdich 2001 (No. 397) - Port Charlotte 2004 (No. 54) - Octomore 6.3 2009 (No. 1)

We had the opportunity to dilute the whisky, which had a barrel strength, with water, or to fill it into small bottles. Especially Verena, who was tasked with driving, gladly accepted this offer.

Of course, a souvenir for home was a must. Maxi was allowed to tap, fill and label the exclusive distillery bottling.

Tomorrow we will delve a little deeper into the world of Islay whisky.

We'll keep you posted :)

Good night!

Maxi and Verena