Bowmore

Bowmore Distillery – the first distillery on Islay – was established in 1779 by local merchant David Simson. Simson moved to the new village of Bowmore from Killarow around 1766 and it is believed the distillery started soon after that (although the first recorded mention of the distillery was in 1779). The distillery was later taken over by James Mutter – farmer, distiller as well as Ottoman, Portuguese and Brazilian Vice Consul in Glasgow. The distillery today is owned by Suntory Ltd of Japan and although the distillery has been substantially rebuilt and renovated over the years the original floor malting remain, as do the traditional whisky production methods.