Drinking and eating on Islay

Talking of Islay, how many times have you heard people say “tasting an Islay dram is like sucking petrol”?  My first thought is, how many people have actually sucked petrol???  I did famously say Laphroaig reminds me of my grandads farm and tastes like a pirates boot! They labelled up a bottle and sent me it. I am reliably told that as a 4 year old in Kilkenny, I did lick my grandads boots!

Getting off Islay can be tricky at times, just this month our ferry was 2.5 hours late, due to Storm Hector, we had two hours to fill in Port Askaig, not easy! Managed it though, when the ferry did sail it was ok, as the storm was at our backs, pushing us into Kennacraig. Aye but upon landing the crew could not get the ramp down, took em 20 minutes fiddling. So what if you get stuck on the island due to bad weather, my advice, go back to your hotel and ask for another night, if you cannee get out, no one else can get in.

PAUL MCLEAN www.whiskytours.scot