The ironman of travel Yoshimasa Ikeuchi

Bruichladdich Distillery

Bowmore single malt

Inside the Round Church

 

Scottish whiskey

Hotel bar        

Loch side Hotel

Csol lLa

unnahabhainn

 

 

Caol Ila

Ardbeg

Bunahagen

Kotetsu and Roller

Special tour with the guidance of
Kilchoman Distillery Roller

 

 

Milky oyster

Oyster farm

Jura Distillery

Jura seen from Islay

Rainbow after the rain

Water droplets of flowers after the rain

Turn back to fog, rain and wind

American monument

 Islay, known as the pearl of the Hebrew Islands.

An Island with more animals than humans,
cows and sheep grazing on the vast motherland
The clear air makes you feel the scent of the tide more
strongly. "Whiskey" that is being handed down on a
small Island in Scotland. Amber color born after 5 years,
10 years and 15 years.
 

September 20th-September 27th, 2008

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Traveling Iron Man Ikeuchi Yoshimasa

Kotetsu's one word

Thanks to the rented house with kitchen, I was able to experience the Island life for a week in a very quiet town. It was another way to enjoy the trip that I was able to meet the ingredients of the Island, which is a bit different from the hotel. It might have been more interesting if I studied the whiskey distillery tour.

Islay's Islander who is kind to me. A stunning bar at the Loch side Hotel that I went to every night. Over 200 bottles of whiskey are lined up. The inside of the store is a resting bar for Islanders every day. There are 8 types of draft beer servers. Whiskey shot prices range from £ 2 to £ 250 per cup (¥ 400 to ¥ 50,000.) Bowmore, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavalin, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Bruichladdich, Kilchoman and Jura Distillery on Jura.

Kilchoman Distillery (founded in 2005), which was built three years ago, is near by the roller of Kate's niece who is renting a house. She took a special tour of the distillery while she was at work when she met her immediately at the reception. All tours at any distillery require reservations. You can only tour at a set time. Thank you for the random traveler.

Another Island taste "Oyster Farm" at the western end
I was able to taste the "oysters" from the clean
seawater. Milky raw oysters are an Island luxury item
that only Kotetsu can taste.

"Creamy and delicious" smiles.

Eight distilleries on this small Island, another distillery thanks to Mr. Tsunekawa I was also able to visit "Jura Island". Free tasting anywhere. 40, degree smoky single malt is too strong for my tongue. It was too strong to dilute the dry and intense Isla mort in half with water.

 

The southernmost American monument One photo found in a small amount of information "Where is this?" I tried "Let's go", but decided to turn back on the way because of the rain and wind. Don't beat the low fog and strong wind and rain. The, fine weather so far is a bad weather like a lie. This trip was prepared for rain and strong winds, but I couldn't move in this weather.

 

Epilogue

Colorless and transparent raw sake is laid in barrels and aged. An Island that is unbearable for whiskey lovers. However, what pleased my tongue was the smoked "herring" and "mackerel" that I didn't expect. A gem that you can't taste at a hotel or restaurant.Thank you for the good luck of renting a house with a kitchen. The saltiness and smoked scent peculiar to the island became an unforgettable souvenir of the Island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The grass on top of the pea contains plenty of water

Pheasants also appear on the roadside

The water of the River Lagan is brown and transparent, as if whiskey is flowing

River lagan

 

 

Mr. Tsunekawa Kotetsu and Wheelie

The smell of Pete is the smell of ordinary land

Water springs up after digging Pete

Challenge Pete Moat

A gentle slope continues toward the sea

Show off your arms with the me

Ginger Willie

William McNeill

When I jump, the ground bounces. If you pierce the wilderness with the tools of Pete Moat, you can enter up to 2m at a stretch. If you don't look closely at the marshland, you will be caught in the mud. A cutter with an L-shaped tip is cut at a right angle to dig up peat. A layer of nearly 40 cm is scraped at a time. I also tried it, but it cuts up to 30 cm, but it is impossible to go beyond that. Give up just by digging up one peat.

This smoke and incense, which is used as a fuel for drying to stop the germination of barley in the manufacturing process, characterizes the Islay taste. (Smoked on trees twice a week in Bowmore) Under the wilderness with a gentle slope toward the sea, the land containing water spreads.

The Bowmore Distillery's plan was to guide me to Pete digging. Distillery craftsman’s real name William McNeill (61) (free 1 hour 30 minutes) Semi-carbonized peat of plants, which is a deposit of plants in the marsh that is an essential natural fuel for whiskey on Islay.

 

Master of Pete Moat
Ginger wheelie on the arm

 

 

 

 

 

Elementary school students going to school

Kotetsu on the ferry

Jura Distillery on Jura Island留所

Po and Ellenno Harbor

Take them all

The captain who shared the lobster

Kotetsu cooks, simmered saury

Senior live performance

Bar owner and me

Lochside Hotel Ber

JURA

Scotland

Take a ride on Mr. Tsunekawa's charter car. Visit the Jura Distillery, which is not planned.

Jura Island Travelogue

Masato Tsunekawa is on the far left

I buy fish

Fish shop sign

Children with dogs to school

Scotland

The store is open only 3 days a week. All sold out in the morning

Casually greet strangers

An Island with more animals than humans.
The grassland and the sky are alive and united

The banquet for four people has begun. Crabs and lobsters are boiled red and wait at the table. The blessings of the sea on Islay, the body is firm and the eggs are full and the taste is rich. Mr. Tsunekawa, who eats crabs quietly while eating crabs. Butter-grilled salmon with fat, the taste of King Salmon eaten in Alaska. For customers who like delicious whiskey, wine seems to be unsatisfactory. The scallops and mussels are so delicious that I forget to take a picture. Local cuisine to be enjoyed while traveling Our dining table is lively.

 

Stop at the port of Port Ellen. After finishing fishing, exchange greetings with the captain of the fishing boat that is taking a break. "What did you catch today?" The captain, who looks good, smiles and points to the basket. Inside is a delicious crab and lobster. When I asked him to divide it, he put out a plastic bag without saying anything. He put two live crabs and three lobsters in a sat bag and raised his two fingers. When I put out 20 pounds, I was surprised to hear "NO", "2 pounds" (400 yen), "Eh!" It's a big game tonight. Crabs, lobster, salmon, adductor muscles, mussels and ingredients are the luxury of seafood. The customers are Naoya Tomitsuka (21) and Masato Tsunekawa (37). It was Mr. Tsunekawa who took a piggyback ride on Pete Hori, which we had reserved. The next day, I took a piggyback ride on the neighboring Island "JURA Island Population 200", which I had not planned by his charter car. "Are you sure?" I was happy when he said, "It's a bit of an edge to rub against each other with my ancestors."

Living in the city suffers from noise, but it's not here. At 7:00 am, the Island hasn't woken up yet. Only the sounds of nature, with no cars, people, or dogs barking, can be heard faintly. It's a wonderful environment I'm the only one walking around the town. The colorful houses always have a new scent of paint. A refreshing city of blue, green and orange wakes up and exchanges morning greetings. Greetings from strangers are a matter of course. A friendly Island that naturally blends in with the Islanders.

Travel is a companion, the world is compassionate

The second party goes to the BAR in the town. For live performers of Scottish masterpieces, each favorite Isla mort. Did you know that "Hotaru no Hikari", the song I heard somewhere, is a Scottish folk song? 40, degree whiskey is too strong for me. I went home because of sickness and drowsiness. Blown by the sea breeze to my home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ardbeg quilt

Ardbeg Distillery

Kildalton's Cross Endured the wind and snow and remained in perfect shape beyond 1200 years

Islay, Queen of the Hebrides, feels melancholy for nature every time she meets a cow or horse

IeLa of Ialry

Scotland

Church 1200 years ago. There is clear air

Further visit the ruins of a church with the Kirdalt cross in the southeast. The cross, which was erected about 1200 years ago, has withstood the wind and snow, but still retains its old appearance perfectly. There are no weeds inside the masonry church ruins. Protected by Celtic beliefs?

Laphroaig　Distillery

1815, floor malting is only here with Bowmore.

It is said that in 1816 and the 16th century, distillation was carried out in a small hut.

Ardbeg Distillery　　

Founded in 1794, moonshine at that time Established a distillery as of 1815

Ask for three distilleries southeast of the Island

Kildalton's Cross

Celtic crosses are still alive. When you enter the inside of the church, you can feel the old appearance. Is this due to the depth of Celtic faith? This air that I can't even feel for 1200 years. I feel something in the dignified atmosphere. The cross that is still alive even in the ruins. There are no houses around. It is the same with Kotetsu that only this place is left as a sacred place and feels precious as a place of inheritance of history. It is strange that only the cross is still alive in the abandoned house for many years.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Tomitsuka leaving for Germany

Loch side BAR

Grilled herring with butter

Pork

Haggis

Naoya Tomitsuka's accommodation tent and Kotetsu

Bowmore Distillery

Christin Logan and Kotetsu

kitchen

living

Accommodation house

Bowmore slideshow

Tomitsuka ordered the Scottish specialty "Haggis". (Mutton / minced sheep meat intestines) A large serving of mashed potatoes. Grilled herring with butter. Pork. (Pig with skin is oily but tastes good) Supper with guests after a long absence is fun.

I don't have that much adventurous spirit. Exploring the Island with a large lick in front of the tourist information center. We had a relationship and had a meal together at a restaurant. I am impressed with the restaurant for the second time in half a year.

Exploring the Island with a large lick in front of the tourist information center. We meet again in the evening and go to see the tent. A park on a hill with a good view. There is lawn all over, a bench on the table and a great campsite. "It's cold at night" "I have a sleeping bag, so it's okay." Already half a year on a backpacker trip around the world. I talk about a big dream that I want to continue for another six months.

When the tour is over and I return to the reception, I meet Japanese "Naoya Tomitsuka" (21). It seems that I have just arrived at the Island. The vitality of young people who are hitchhiking is amazing. The hotel is?" "It's a tent" "Where? yet".

The distillery that represents this Island was acquired by Suntory in 1994. However, the shadow and appearance of the Japanese are invisible. It was founded in 1779 and 230 years, and has inherited the handmade tradition of the manufacturing process.

 

Introducing Christine Logan, a travel agency, she doesn't know where she receives and replies in the internet world. All Japanese assistance is in Tokyo. Thank you for supporting it for free. Right next to the Round Church at the southern end of the town's main street, a few minutes, walk from the supermarket and tourist information center. I took a peek at the "Bowmore Distillery" in the center of the town. Participate in a guided tour. Chartered only for two of us.

Until I came to the Island, It had nothing to do with whiskey. Rather, I liked shochu and awamori and drank them. I was fortunate to be able to search the internet and rent a house in the center of town for a week. Large living room with kitchen, large shower room and bedroom. All seasonings and cooking utensils are available. A room that is easier to live in than my home in Osaka is an exceptional rent. (1 week) ￡ 300 Approximately 60,000 yen.

 

Town center "Bowmore"Bowmore

Scottish food to enjoy with Islay's whiskey. Especially the gems on the Island are the scent of the sea and Islay's malt. The laughter continued until late at night. Next time I promised to cook at Islay's home. Good night. I go to the tent.

 

 

 

 

Floor malting

scotland

 

5

Aging

4

       Distillation

3

　Fermentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mashing

2

1

Malting

Distilled in a wash pot still (copper) distiller. The shape of the pot still differs depending. on the distillery. This is quite interesting. The individuality of whiskey is born by that shape. Miscellaneous components are removed by redistilling the liquid once taken out. The undiluted sake is transparent (65 to 70 degrees) and has a high aroma. Sort with a beaker near the pot still. Sort the first and last parts of the second finished spirit and send it to the distillation pot again. Use only the center cut liquid

ＢＯＷMORE Distillery

　　

Put the wort in a fermentation barrel (Oregon, pine lumber, Fallen pine 5m x 10m). When yeast is added, it is decomposed into alcohol and carbon dioxide. It feels like a huge tub is filled with beer. Tasting a beer-like liquid in a room filled with alcohol. Pump it out of the barrel and give it to me. It feels like smoky beer and sparkling wine.

The dried malt is roughly ground, medium-sized, and powdered with a machine called malt mill and mixed with warm water. In order to make wort with a high sugar content, the enzyme generated at the time of germination decomposes the starch in the malt into sugar.

 Soak Scottish barley in water. Preservation (20-22 degrees). Spread on a large floor for even germination. (Floor malting). Only 2 locations on Islay. (Continued for 7 days). Smoked barley in the germination drying tower (kiln). The fuel at this time is the smoke of peat accumulated for 4000 years, and the whiskey smells peat.

Bowmore Distillery tour

Manufactures distilled liquor from wort in the 13th and 14th centuries. Moonshine begins around the 17th century. Hiding in the mountain village, using the clear stream of the mountain for preparation. Use Pete as fuel and store, sake in barrels to make whiskey.

Until whiskey (malt raw liquor) is made

    
The whiskey in the barrel, which is made by stuffing colorless and transparent raw sake into barrels used for bourbon and sherry, evaporates by 2% a year. This steamed portion is from the barrel called "Angel Share". The scent and pigments dissolve and the whiskey gradually turns amber. After a long period of aging, the finished whiskey is bottled for blending or as a single malt. (40 degrees) Whiskey is legally required to be aged for 3 years. Single malts that have been aged for 8 years or more.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flower slideshow

Bowmore's colorful cityscape

Round church

Gladiolus

Stunning fuchsia

From the town center Round Church

Kitchen in the room for a week stay

Bowmore

Bunnahabbainn

 

Lagavulin

Lamont Campbell at Islay Airport

From Glasgow to Islay

Bowmore Distillery

Isle of Islay

Scotland

It's a little chilly in the morning and evening, but it's comfortable during the day. Clear air, quiet streets, colorful English colors but a calm atmosphere. Even though it is from September to October, there are many Japanese summer flowers. Gladioli entertain travelers with stunning dahlias, fuchsias in full bloom, and jumbo begonia.Blessed with good weather.

A few minutes, walk to both the supermarket and the restaurant, it is comfortable and convenient. The main street is the Island's symbol, The Round Church. There are 3 hotels and restaurants in 1pondo-cho from (1767) to the port. There is also a bar on the first floor of the hotel here Where you can enjoy Islay's single malt.

 I was immediately guided to my accommodation. Kotetsu and I say, "It's a good place." I admire the "clean sky". The sky is blue to escape. Sheep, goats, cows, rabbits and pheasants grazing on the meadow. The center of the Island is Bowmore. We decided to rent a house in nature. The large living room has a kitchen, the bedroom has a shower room, and a washing machine.

I was curious to find out that there are eight distilleries on such a small Island and blessed with seafood. The driver Lamont Campbell (47 years old, 120 kg) I made a reservation online welcomed me.

Islay's single malt that every whiskey party knows. Hebrides Islands, an Island of whiskey with a scent of peat. 40 minutes from Glasgow by a small propeller plane. All went smoothly to Islay. An Island of irresistible charm for whiskey lovers. I like Okinawan awamori better than whiskey.

There is an autumn scent on the Scottish Island. There was no madness in choosing this Island. What kind of encounter is waiting for you? It's fun.

Prologue

 

 

Islay

●

Scotland

United Kingdom

Epilogue

 

Whiskey history and manufacturing process

Islay

Prologue

（United Kingdom/GBR）
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland