Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Distillery, Port Ellen: Address, Phone Number, Ardbeg Distillery Reviews: 4.5/5
Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Distillery
4.5
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4.5
934 reviews
Excellent
667
Very good
196
Average
48
Poor
15
Terrible
8
Victoria A
Bridge of Allan, UK17 contributions
Disappointed in staff and their snobby attitude, not made to feel welcome like other distilleries
Sep 2021 • Friends
We returned to Ardbeg before we left Islay as it was shut a few days before due to Covid.
We walked over the the area where the barrels stopped us, just to have a wee look. There was a dog tied up and a member of staff walked past and to be honest her demeanour and attitude was not welcoming, she abruptly told us the dog belonged to a customer……and?!
When we entered the visitor centre there were no checking in and Covid checks like the other distilleries. The shop was lovely but again the staff were unwelcoming and to be frank, snobby. They seemed more interested in some woman dressed in ridiculous white and fur, oh probably because she was spending loads! We did spend some money but clearly not enough to earn a bit of courtesy.
Very disappointed, maybe they don’t like bikers! Not the warm welcome we received from neighbouring distilleries.
It might be a top distillery but your staff let you down.
We walked over the the area where the barrels stopped us, just to have a wee look. There was a dog tied up and a member of staff walked past and to be honest her demeanour and attitude was not welcoming, she abruptly told us the dog belonged to a customer……and?!
When we entered the visitor centre there were no checking in and Covid checks like the other distilleries. The shop was lovely but again the staff were unwelcoming and to be frank, snobby. They seemed more interested in some woman dressed in ridiculous white and fur, oh probably because she was spending loads! We did spend some money but clearly not enough to earn a bit of courtesy.
Very disappointed, maybe they don’t like bikers! Not the warm welcome we received from neighbouring distilleries.
It might be a top distillery but your staff let you down.
Written 9 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nikka Z
6 contributions
Best distillery in Islay
Sep 2021 • Couples
Ardbeg was our first whisky stop of the day, and it ended up being our favourite. We booked their core range tasting, the 5 drams were delicious. Emma took us through them all in detail answering our questions in a very professional yet friendly way. Jacquie assisted us further after the tasting too, recommending the Bowmore hotel to have a dram of their Serendipity (pity to waste it!) limited edition. We fell in love with it! In Ardbeg distillery we found a very cozy and friendly atmosphere, and the food truck outside did the trick offering a great venison steak pie. Totally recommended!
Written 9 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
BPGers
Stirling, UK91 contributions
Wonderful Emma 🥃
Aug 2021 • Couples
We both did the warehouse tasting with oor Emma. First of all we loved her craic, passion and knowledge about the whisky, Ardbeg and the island itself.
The whisky itself was excellent, as was the courtyard foodie van. Congratulations Ardbeg, beautiful well cared for and run distillery and for Emma, a prize asset.
Many thanks, Bruce and Pauline. 💙🥃💙
The whisky itself was excellent, as was the courtyard foodie van. Congratulations Ardbeg, beautiful well cared for and run distillery and for Emma, a prize asset.
Many thanks, Bruce and Pauline. 💙🥃💙
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Laura A
5 contributions
Delicious and intriguing flavours, lovely staff!
Jul 2021
We purchased five of the classics and had a little tasting on the patio. The young fellow with blonde hair helped us out, and he was so kind and informative! This was our favourite distillery on the island - both for the remarkable taste of their whiskey and for the friendliness of the staff.
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Katrina J
4 contributions
Supping drama in the sunshine
Jun 2021 • Couples
Visited just before after early reopening in June 2021. Distillery was not open for tours but shop was open, and courtyard and amazing street food wagon for outdoor food/ drink. Staff (I think we dealt with Craig and Emma) were amazing - friendly, helpful, couldn’t have been nicer. We’re able to enjoy some ardbeg flights in the sunshine at tables in the courtyard and has such an enjoyable time, we came back the next day to try a weirder and more wonderful flight. Just lovely.
Written 30 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Diane J
Fife, UK38 contributions
Lovely stop for lunch on the three distilleries walk
Jun 2021 • Couples
We walked from Port Ellen and we were really warmly welcomed even though we were only stopping for a drink. They have an outside cafe serving lunch, cakes, coffees and drinks. We enjoyed the local Islay beer sitting in the sunshine. The staff in the shop were really friendly.
We when back for coffee on the Sunday before catching the ferry and they were shut! Such a shame, I am glad they weren’t shut after we walked all that way so worth checking if you are walking
We when back for coffee on the Sunday before catching the ferry and they were shut! Such a shame, I am glad they weren’t shut after we walked all that way so worth checking if you are walking
Written 1 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Peter R
Dartford, UK874 contributions
No Tour but friendly informative staff
Sep 2020
Unfortunately, when we visited in September the distillery had only just reopened and was not doing tours. However, as we were the only visitors a very helpful lady spent time carefully explaining the various whiskeys available and providing a wee tasting as well. We purchased a couple of bottles, just because.
Written 30 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sarah
Bonnyrigg, UK7 contributions
Core Range Tasting
Oct 2020 • Couples
We visited on 8th October and done the core range tasting with Craig - he was fantastic and so was the whisky! I would definitely recommend everyone to visit Ardbeg and do a tasting if you get the chance. Lovely looking distillery and all the staff were very friendly and helpful.
Written 12 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kathryn
1 contribution
10/10!
Oct 2020 • Couples
My partner and I visited Sat 10th Oct, right after the COVID rules had changed yet again... but the staff at Ardbeg took it in their stride and gave us a fantastic experience!
Ron spoke with us and was able to give us a ‘nosing’ that was perfect to our taste. He made us feel right at home and cannot wait to try our whiskies!
The team were great, could not fault them in the slightest!
Totally recommend to anyone who is thinking on going!
Ron spoke with us and was able to give us a ‘nosing’ that was perfect to our taste. He made us feel right at home and cannot wait to try our whiskies!
The team were great, could not fault them in the slightest!
Totally recommend to anyone who is thinking on going!
Written 11 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
NinhLyUK
Leyland, UK34 contributions
If you like Ardbeg whisky, seriously come here!
Sep 2020
When I went, they'd stopped the tours due to COVID-19. But they were still doing tastings, and I booked myself in for one and it didn't disappoint.
Emma did a great job presenting the tasting session at Ardbeg.
I highly recommend that anyone reading this should book their tour or tasting as soon as possible, because due to current COVID restrictions, the groups are intentionally kept small. There’s no safety concerns and they’ve taken the necessary precautions.
Overall, this is one of the must-see distilleries on Islay and, it’s definitely worth the money!
If you like fiery smoky whisky, this is the place for you!
Emma did a great job presenting the tasting session at Ardbeg.
I highly recommend that anyone reading this should book their tour or tasting as soon as possible, because due to current COVID restrictions, the groups are intentionally kept small. There’s no safety concerns and they’ve taken the necessary precautions.
Overall, this is one of the must-see distilleries on Islay and, it’s definitely worth the money!
If you like fiery smoky whisky, this is the place for you!
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
The Jonny T
Pontefract, UK273 contributions
What are the prices like for bottles in the shop compared to online or on the high street?
Are samples available to try (or buy)?
Thanks in advance!
Thomast1940
100 contributions
Certainly not cheaper!

































