Diageo recently debuted the new visitor experience at its Caol Ila Distillery on the Isle of Islay, this after a multi-million pound transformation.
It took four years, and now the new visitor experience is the seventh of Diageo’s whisky brand homes to find new life as part of the company’s £185-million investment in whisky tourism.
A statement from Diageo noted that this also completes the transformation of the four distilleries, Glenkinchie, Cardhu, Caol Ila and Clynelish, recognized as key ingredients in the Johnnie Walker blend.
Caol Ila’s new experience boasts panoramic views of the neighboring island of Jura, a modern retail space, a bar with floor to ceiling windows, and immersive storytelling rooms that bring to life Caol Ila’s history. Along with Diageo’s other 13 visitor experiences in Scotland, Caol Ila holds a Green Tourism Gold Award … the highest sustainability accolade for a visitor attraction.
Caol Ila means Sound of Islay in Gaelic, and Diageo celebrated the historic connection and the new experience’s grand opening with a performance from Scottish musician Fergus McCreadie, a specially created piece of Gaelic music performed in front of the distillery’s panoramic views.
“Caol Ila is the last of our reimagined brand homes to be unveiled and it’s truly something special,” said Barbara Smith, managing director of Diageo’s Scotland brand homes. “Islay is known around the world for its whisky and we’ve ensured that our visitor experience not only tells the story of the Caol Ila brand but also the major role whisky plays in the island’s history.”
She said the new building will offer something new and unique to visitors and to locals who will be able to come for social occasions or to just enjoy the incredible views.
“We look forward to welcoming people from near and far now that our doors are officially open,” Smith added.
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