The Magic of Islay 

First off, thanks Roy and Bill - plus all the guests - for a brilliant video. I share the connection you feel with Islay and watching this made me quite emotional. To see how people feel about this beautiful island just makes makes me happy, and it is indeed a magical place. I’ve been across the last two years and am going back later this year for a few distillery visits, but more so for the island itself and the people. My wife’s not a big whisky fan, but loves the island and the pace of life... and we can’t wait to return. Thanks again for taking the time to document you and Bill’s trip, Roy. Loved every second. Cheers!

Hello from the whisk(e)y vault

I like how at the 23 min Mark a Fish jumps out of the water and spins around behind the dude being interviewed.. LOL ☺😊😀😁😂😃

can we talk about that fish at 23:18?

That fish jump at 23:18. Amazing shot composition. You couldn’t have planned that.

I've made the pilgrimage to Islay 3 times since 2015, and I deeply understand the Magic of Islay. It was absolutely the whisky that brought me to the island, but it was the island that captured my heart and imagination, and calls me back. I've spent time wandering and hiking in the wilderness around the island, and there is a tranquil silence and calm that follows you everywhere. From the Mull of Oa to the shores of Bunnahabhain, it stays with you. Even when you're in the villages, time slows down. Your feet carry you forward a half a step slower, as if to allow the time to appreciate where you are. You may have noticed when you drive around the island, other drivers will wave to you as if you were their neighbor. And you're correct, everyone is so friendly, and that passes on to the rest of us while we stay there. While the weather is unpredictable, somehow Mother Nature knows to go easy on us during the Feis. Even when we were forecast for rain or deep cold in 2018, the weather found ways to surprise us. Islay is easily my favorite place on earth, and hope to continue the pilgrimage throughout my life. Also, I met Mario this past year (2018) at the end of Laphroaig Day. I landed late that day and missed the festivities, and he and his friend were the last stragglers.

You are an artist my friend. What a fantastic video. Pieced together to perfection. Extremely well done. 🙏🏻

Fantastic video Roy, Great way to highlight your trip and stunning shots of Islay, also FISH PHOTOBOMB at 23:18 #LegendaryTrout Lol

Great video ! At 23 : 18 , even that fish had too much whisky ! : )

And now I really want to visit Scotland and especially, first of all - Islay Greetings from Russia. It looks like Islay people are very similar with us.

ok so I think I've watched this 15 times now and it is still an enticing, refreshing, compelling, exciting, amazing perspective on this place. I.WILL.GO.SOME.DAY. but for now I am putting this on auto-repeat.....I wish. Slainte Roy. Thanks for a "fantastic" glimpse of the Ileach and the people and the culture of that corner of Scotland.

Outstanding Roy! Well done!

Thanks for such a great video,Islay deffo on our list to visit ...

Incredible video, Roy! Thanks for sharing.

What a fantastic video - I couldn’t agree more! I’ve only ever been to Islay once, in 2014, when I was a broke 20 year old student. It’s like part of me never left. That one trip has been the foundation of a deep love and appreciation for the island, its spirit, and for Scotland in general. I don’t actually know what it is about Islay; I struggle to put my finger on it. It’s magic, as you said. It’s the kindness of the locals, the remoteness, isolation and stark beauty of the place. To this day, my favourite bottle of whisky would be Laphroaig Quarter Cask because when I open it and smell it, it’s that exact same smell I first smelled on a crisp morning in August, getting off the bus at Laphroaig. It’s absolutely uncanny. I know that I will return to Islay, hopefully sooner rather than later, because every couple of months, out of the blue, I get this deep sense of longing for that place I have only ever spent six days on. Magic, definitely.

Love this! Great job on the video and thank you for sharing! I can't wait to have the opportunity to visit Islay.

I have watched this again - it is such a great video - really well done and so well thought out!

One of the best ‘self made’ ‘amateur’ videos I’ve seen in a long time. Makes me desperate to get back to Scotland and do the same tour. Love a Peaty one. Alan from New Zealand.

Islay truly is magical, I remember how at home I felt. Westering home indeed.

I may be watching this on repeat over the next few weeks 😉 Great stuff and very well pieced together!

Fantastic video, thank you for sharing your experience. Makes me want to visit Islay so much!

Hi Aqvavitae, Rex sent me. That was a magnificent video! Very well done, and now I have to experience the magic of islay. I'm also going to binge watch the rest of your videos. Cheers!

This is incredible Roy. I'm very excited to be visiting Islay next year! I absolutely love that the focus of this video was not just on whisky but the essence of Scotland, Islay, whisky, the people and how it all works together.

Superb Roy! Thanks so much for bringing Islay to us and sharing your trip in such a unique way.

Best video yet Roy! Truly enjoyed it. A trip to Islay is now on my Bucket List.

Magical! That is something I want to experience in person. Thank you for putting this amazing short together.

Brilliant video! Great work with editing and sound as well. I’ve been to Islay 3 times and completely agree - its magical. And it’s the people that make the island so welcoming, makes you return year after year and the Whisky, as you said, acts as the catalyst. Well done!

I was there again last week for my 34th visit since 2009 and I am a Scot who lives in Scotland on the east coast of the mainland.Its all about the journey there,the people,the pace of life and of course the whisky.Its a very special place.And unique.

hey, been there 3 times, I had exactly the same experience as you! nature comes together with vibe and the drinks!!! absolute gem of Scotland

Really great video Roy, I reckon the Islay tourist board owe you a debt of gratitude.

Great video, really captures the spirit of Islay.

Thanks for giving me an in depth video of a place I want to experience. Great job love that you get the true essence of islay.

Bonjour and thank you for the tour, Islay is added to my bucket list for sure.

Seeing this made me miss Islay so much...glad to see you met up with Tom at Laphroig...he was super and came in to Islay Hotel and had a few pours with us...such a magical place

The Whisk(e)y vault brought me here, great video. I hope to visit islay myself one day! Just subscribed

What a dream trip this is for me! Probably will never happen, but I'm holding out hope. Sipping on a bottle of Lagavulin now that was gifted to me as a Christmas present.

Just returned from Islay after a long weekend away, 1st time there and aiming to go back. This video reflects the exact feelings we felt while there, obviously massively quieter due to the pandemic running off to what you can see on this video, however the friendliness and helpfulness of the entire island, from locals and visitors alike, replicated completely.

Superb attention to detail. Beautiful tour of the magic of Islay. Well done... Wow!

What a great video and such good production as always! I miss Islay and this makes me feel closer, great work Roy. 👍

Cracking video Roy! It has only made me want to visit Islay even more.

This was delightful to watch...as enjoyable as the whiskey itself. Such good memories of visit years ago. Beautiful island and beautiful people.

I’m very pleased to find your channel; this video in particular was outstanding ! Thanks for your creative content.

Great video. You really captured the calmness that everyone there seem to have. I enjoyed that you spent so much time giving us a tour of people's experience, and not so much the distilleries.

My wife and I went to Islay in April, 2018 from the States. There is so much I could write, but it would just be adding and confirming to what you have said here! What an excellent video!

Thanks for posting, I love Islay! My great great gran was born there, and I even stayed at her childhood home a couple of years ago , which now has self catering accommodation (Upper Cragabus). I loved Kildalton Cross, and finding graves of my ancestors!!

Very envious...loved the video ..its now on my bucket list

So glad I found this channel. Brilliant stuff. Thank you!

whiskey tribe member her! 👋 amazing tour of Islay! love it! thanks and good work!

Wow so jealous! That was some amazing editing, Roy. I know how long that took. Perfect audio timing, film director vision....spot on mate!

Absolutely fantastic Roy, I will be visiting Scotland and Islay with my wife in the next couple of years, can't wait, such a beautiful place.

Roy this is a fantastic video! It has been on my list of things to watch for a while and I finally had the chance to sit and enjoy it this morning over coffee. The production, content, blend of people and whisky are brilliant. Now, I find myself wanting to go to Islay and experience something close to what you enjoyed there. The content and insights on the distilleries is quite good, but I can only imagine the fun of so many tours in a few days. Thank you so much for putting this together for us. I hope your upcoming trip is the perfect birthday for you!

Great vid, thanks! I visited Islay three years ago, from Florida... it is indeed a magical place. Your video captures this very effectively. I need to go back!

Amazing video. Watched after referral from the whiskey vault boys during their " vacation" week. Did anyone else see the fish jump at 23:32 in the interview? Cool lucky touch!!!

Awesome video from you guys, I was there on the 16th of June and stayed in the cottages at Ardbeg. Cannot wait to go bag, the full place is like on big family. Everyone knows everyone and the locals are so friendly. The place truly is something out of a children's fairy-tale: beautiful views, wonderful people and amazing whisky.

It’s remarkable how often the simplest truths are the most powerful: “....whisky teaches you very quickly you have to treat it with respect.” That one’s good enough to be Newton’s Fourth Law. Another exceptional piece, sir - please continue the great work, and ‘Slainte.’

Very nice video. I plan on visiting after I retire sometime next year. My first introduction to Islay Scotch was Laphroaig Lore at one of my favorite restaurants in Atlantic City. It was like getting hit in the head with a brick. I was so used to the Speysides and Highlands that it was at first overpowering. Once that I got used to it, though, I just became a lover of all Islay Scotch. I have six in my collection now and I plan on adding more. I can't wait until I can come over and tour the island and visit all of the distilleries. L'Chaim.

Wow! What an absolute joy to watch, Roy. Really well done, like a mini documentary! I look forward to the day I get to visit Islay myself or any of Scotland for that matter. Slainte friend.

Draam this was enjoyable video to watch, thank You very much.

A fantastic film which sums up a lot about Islay. Well done to everyone who made it possible. Slainte

Thank you Roy! I thoroughly enjoy this video. I absolutely love Islay,. Islay feels like home to me too! Slàinte, Chris

Such a fantastic place to visit. Spent 5 days on Islay in 2013. Absolute magic experience. Friendly people and great distilleries. One of the best experiences of my life for sure.

Wow Roy, you did a fantastic job with this video!!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. I can't express to you how appreciative I am. Cheers from Delaware, USA!!!

Just wow! Artistic to say the least. Love your approach mate. Love this production. Spot on mate.

Great video! I will definitely go to Islay with a friend sometime in the near future. Even this video transported such an amazing feeling. Good job!

Roy, this video is fantastic, in fact it’s delicious (you know what I mean 😊). Stirring up some precious memories. Thank you and cheers 👏🥃!!

Great video Roy. Made me even more envious. And it looked like Spring in Australia! All the more keen to go over and spend time on Islay.

Moving to Islay in a week! cant wait to venture the land an meet new people!

Great production, beautifully done & thoughtful. Although you don’t expect it, i the wonderful island of islay and its distilleries owe u a big thank you. Cheers Sir.

Awesome to see Roy, It will be even more awesome when we get to go to Scotland for the first time, hopefully that's not too far into the future.

Absolutely gorgeous video which I think is destined to become a RU-vid classic for anyone searching “Islay”. The interviews were brilliant and amazing editing! What incredibly lovely weather. It looked like the Mediterranean. It transported me back to the Island and my stress levels have indeed dropped signifantly whilst and since watching. Thank you so much Roy. I absolutely agree with most things which were said but feel that this is only a part of the reason for the magic of Islay. Anyone who has drunk Islay whisky on Islay will instantly recognise that oneness between the whisky and the island. For me, Islay whisky never tasted the same after my first visit. The whisky brings with it all the memories of the aromas and atmosphere of the island which is recognisable within the whisky. That’s terroir! It’s a similar experience drinking wine from Gvaot winery in the Shomron near Shilo or drinking Adir wine in the vineyards of Kerem Ben Zimra in the Upper Galil. Once you have identified that flavour and smell in the alcohol from the region, you recognise it when drinking the whisky or wine wherever you are. I don’t think I’ll ever come to Islay during the Feis Ile festival. I prefer going when it’s quieter and people have more time for a chat. The last couple of times we have were on Islay was in October and November which is considered outside tourist season. Both times we were very lucky with the weather and accommodation was easy to find with the best prices. Oh, and no midgies! I think the character of Islay has a lot to do with the fact that it’s such a small island, some distance from the mainland. It is not cheap to get there either. With so many distilleries per square mile, you are never more than a few hundred meters from whisky, the peat, the distillery smells and the coastland. This obviously affects the character of the island. Criminal activity is virtually zero because of the two factors, those being: Almost everyone knowing everyone else along with the fact that it is so difficult getting on and off the island without someone knowing about it, crime is virtually zero. This increases the trust level which contributes to a low stress level. This atmosphere rubs off on visitors to the island. (Take my petrol story for instance where the post office shop in Port Charlotte took it on trust how many litres I had put in the car) as well as people leaving their doors open and cars unlocked. It is not all paradise there. There is one supermarket on the island in Bowmore. With no competition, prices are high. The island needs another supermarket, perhaps a Tesco. Now some comments from a unique Jewish perspective. As an outwardly Orthodox Jew, I have experienced mild anti-Semitism in the Southern Highlands but in total contrast, almost royal status in the Northern Highlands by Gaelic speaking Chrstians who apparently worship King David and his descendants like a separate deity. On Islay however, almost no Illeach ever commented about us being Orthodox Jews with two exceptions. A manager at Ardbeg asked me why some whiskies were kosher and some not. Then, in a surreal moment, a young woman came up to my wife and I in the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte and asked how she could go about converting to Judaism. We were almost speechless but stayed listening to her fascinating story for over an hour. I did however have an unpleasant experience with an American tourist and fundamentalist Chrstian who insisted on telling me in great detail his peace plan for the Middle East by converting all the Jews in Israel. The problem was that we kept bumping into the guy at each distillery tour as we went round the island. Having said that, many Israelis ask me how I manage to eat on Islay with no kosher food! In fact, if you bring your own kosher milk and cheese and soup, we have no problem eating well. You can purchase kosher species of fish such as salmon and haddock, with fruit, nuts and vegetables from the supermarket. (The main problem is of course that there is no minyan! I would love at some point, to organise a large group with a quorum of ten men). A few Illeachs complained about house prices and chronic shortage of homes due to everyone renting out to tourists although according to online data, the situation has improved over the last year. The educational level is considerably lower than on the mainland. There is a chronic shortage of High school teachers with overcrowded classrooms. (Any Islay whisky loving teachers out there?). Parents with High school kids would want to think carefully before moving to Islay. On the other hand, Islay has one of the lowest unemployment figures in Scotland. Lastly, there is a danger that with the increasing whisky tourist industry and more and more distilleries opening up on this tiny island, that the island will turn into a Whisky Disney Land. Although the Illeachs are friendly, with increasing tourists visiting the island, this will inevitably change its character for the worse.

Thanks for posting great vid. Greetings from Vancouver Canada.

Wonderful! Thank you for making this video. We'll be visiting lslay very soon. This is very helpful.

Roy, this is a wonderful video of your recent trip to Islay. You certainly captured the essence of that special island. I saw a lot of familiar places and faces. I felt like I was standing there again in some of those same places and breathing in the Islay air. I can also relate to your excitement on landing in Islay and the sadness on departing since I had the same feelings on both of my trips there. Sláinte !

My Partner, my big labmarador and I are all heading to Islay for my 3rd ever visit in July - a few months ahead of my own 50th birthday. Your video has me both excited and inspired - I shall try to put my OWN finger on that elusive malty magic. Thank you!

Great video, thanks for bringing it to us. I think there is something about small, remote islands that filters out those who don't love being there. Also being on a small island, everyone has to depend more on each other and that influences the culture. Tourism is important to them and Islay and the whiskey is what makes them unique. I know that you can taste the salt and the peat and the craft and skill of the distillers and blenders of the whiskey. Like the rest I am partial to Islay whiskey. I hope to visit someday. Life is a journey not a guided tour and always show respect to your hosts and savor every dram.

Great video, now I want to go to Islay even more! Time to start holiday planning I think..

I have been to Islay twice now ONLY IN DECEMBER ! Yes it’s harsh ,, windy,, cold. But it’s just as brilliant. All distilleries are in full production. Your tours are extremely small and very personal, actually most of the time it’s one on one ! There is time to REALLY get time to connect with everyone. At Bruchladdich we had a tasting with the original owners great granddaughter,so informal and heartfelt ,bringing out “special” 30+ year old drams from her office desk 👍 I cannot wait to go back

my, this does seem like an absolutely amazing trip ! thanks for this video !

Great video. You've earned my subscription keep up the great work

Damn I need to get over to Islay! Thanks for letting us follow along on your journey. Great video Roy!

Well, this is a bucket list item now. Awesome video.

Islay is magical, been there (from South Africa, it's a long trip) 4 times since 2012 now. Never during the festival and once just before christmas, can't imagine it with the crowds I see in this video. Thanks for this, been missing my trips.

THANK YOU!! As someone who has come to love and embrace Islay whisky, this is an absolute treat of a video to learn more about it. brilliant work.

Great video Roy. Thanks for putting it together for our enjoyment. You got a lucky break with the weather my son. I absolutely believe in terroir and Islay has it. Some will say that's ridiculous and that it's a scientific process but my sensory experience tells me otherwise. You know I love sherry and I have been to the sherry triangle of Jerez, Sanlucar and Santa Maria. Those places, like Islay and whisky, make sherry real for me. It's a hot and vital Andalucian drink, not something for your granny at Christmas. The heat and salty Atlantic air permeates the barrels of Sanlucar and you can taste it in the the famous salty manzanilla produced there. It is so natural that no fortification is needed because the natural yeast in the air does the trick. I mention this because all experienced lovers of serious drinks know that all the science in the world does not explain the alchemy of high end alcoholic drinks. There is a magic involved which brings me back to Islay. My first independent foray into whisky was Islay and it will always be special for me. It's unfair to other regions but Islay is the quintessence for me. There's something about peat that I equate to primeval history and to the land that produces it, Scotland, but particularly that special island.

A wonderful video my friend. You've put this together very professionally. Looks an amazing place, somewhere on my Whisky bucket list I must visit. Thank you for putting this together for us Whisky folk.

I'm surprised Neflix hasn't bought your channel. Ten out of ten for content, presentation and enjoyability. Thanks for sharing :-)

Very well produced and edited equally as well, like most people I’m watching to learn and get a feel for what lays behind my glass, there are very few places that attain that sense of common interest and well being, Islay is on my list.

Fantastic, Roy, thanks fro sharing...

Wow, that's next level Roy. Loved the fish jump at 23:19 :-)

another great production! 3 minutes in i get my first goosebumps... the magic of islay! i think it might be the "common passion" or the whisky community as you would call it that helps bringing this vibe. the sense of having a common passion. 10min in, I fueled up my bike at the shop/station in bridgend you guys just passed :) nice you guys had such fantastic weather! "the islay wave" - second goosebumps moment, indeed i forgot about this. Being a biker i know the biker's wave, but i was happily surprised with the islay wave being a thing too :) 23:20 THAT FISH - hilarious! crazy fish aside, what he said!!! i have to say the open-ness Bill mentions i did experience all over scotland, not just on islay "IT's NICE TO BE NICE!" - Ian McArthur "there's something about islay" - well said! "Magical" - third goosebump moment! brilliant video, 100% legit!

That was absolutely fantastic. Well done Roy on a really engaging video. You have made me want to go which I never thought I would have before watching that. Even watching it makes me feel less stressed lol

You're dead right Roy. It's the unaffected friendliness of the folk on Islay that makes people want to return. I first visited just last year, but after watching this great video I can't wait to get back and see more of the island while tasting its wares. Truly infectious - and your vid has captured that wonderfully. Cheers!

Just booked a week on islay...sooooo looking forward to that! So catching up on your islay videos 😊

Amazing video. Feels like a high quality television documentary, really good job. Felt like I was there, I really hope to actually go one day.

Having just come back home after a short trip to Islay this video took me straight back. I'm standing in the car park at Laphoraig just nosing the Smokey Peaty air. Tom the bar man at Laphoraig was excellent with his personality and his knowledge of the the whisky. We will be back next year!

Found you by the way of the scotch test dummies, very well done video! Fantastic glimpse into the Islay experience. Definitely on my list of places to visit. Thank you for sharing.

Excellent video. Definitely inspired to go for a visit now.

Fantastic, Roy! I have never been there but I have a feeling that you captured the very essence of Islay! Except for the sun :) I was actually a bit touched by watching this. I am so impressed by the content and the quality of this film. Great balance of interviews, thoughtful conversations, gorgeous footage of the scenery, perfect music and impressive editing. Scotland’s national tourist board should pay you money for this. 100/100 points!

Amazing video roy, congratulations, grettings from mexico.

Great video documentary, another Bucket list place for sure