Is Bowmore distillery open for tours in 2026?

Yes. Tours continue while production is paused for the rest of 2026. The visitor centre closes from 23 December and reopens on 5 January 2027.

How much is the Bowmore distillery tour?

A current adult ticket price could not be verified from the official booking page. Confirm the price and included whiskies before booking.

Do you need to book Bowmore?

Advance tour booking is advised. Walk-in places are not guaranteed.

Can you visit Bowmore without a tour?

Yes. The tasting bar accepts walk-ins Monday–Saturday, 11:00–16:30. Large groups should contact the distillery first.

How do you get to Bowmore without a car?

The distillery recommends local taxis or Islay's Monday–Saturday bus service. Check your connections to School Street before choosing a tour time.

Visit guide

Bowmore Distillery

Whisky in Bowmore, Islay

Is it worth visiting?

A tasting stop for Bowmore drinkers already on Islay. The walk-in bar lets you choose your spend without committing to a tour. Skip a 2026 tour if your main aim is to watch distillation. Tour value cannot be assessed until the current ticket price and inclusions are confirmed.

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors

Why visit

Bowmore dates from 1779 and is Islay's oldest licensed distillery
The whisky-making site includes the No.1 Vaults beside Loch Indaal
The tasting bar overlooks Loch Indaal
The bar offers distillery-exclusive whiskies without a tour booking

Before you go

No working distillation can be seen for the remainder of 2026
Closed Sundays and during the published Christmas and New Year break
There are steps on the tour route and seven steps to the whisky bar
Individual tour prices, durations and age limits could not be verified

Planning the visit

Booking: Use Bowmore's official tours and experiences page, or call 01496 810441. Book ahead; walk-in tour places are not guaranteed. Confirm the current experience, price and duration.
Opening: Tours continue, but there is no production for the rest of 2026. Closed Sundays. Visitor centre closes 23 December 2026 and reopens 5 January 2027; confirm daily hours before travelling.
Getting there: School Street, Bowmore, PA43 7JS. Bowmore's visitor page identifies Islay's Monday–Saturday buses and local taxis as alternatives to driving.

Official website. Checked against the official website in September 2026. Confirm before booking.

Nearby distilleries

Bruichladdich DistilleryBruichladdich, 5 km
Kilchoman DistilleryBruichladdich (Rockside Farm), 8 km
Port EllenPort Ellen, 15 km
Caol Ila DistilleryPort Askaig, 15 km
Laphroaig DistilleryPort Ellen, 16 km
Lagavulin DistilleryPort Ellen, 17 km

Straight-line distances.

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Common questions

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