We skipped Islay last year, mainly because there weren't any casks to be had at that time. It's a multi-day commitment, as well, so we figured that time was better spent searching down more whisky. This year, with Kyle in tow, Islay was an absolute must. It's like whisky Disneyland, a mecca for Scotch geeks, so there's no better place than the Queen of the Hebrides to get you pumped up about single malt. It's also quite a beautiful drive around Loch Lomand, through the Argyll forest, and over the lip of Loch Fyne before heading down the Kintyre Peninsula. You head through misty valleys…
…past mountain streams...
…by seaside towns…
…and eventually end up at the Kennacraig ferry.
Then you pull away from the mainland and head out towards the Straight of Islay and Port Askaig.
-David Driscoll