The science of whisky: Scottish Hebrides Cruise

24 September 2023 - 8 days - £2,399 - 1 female sharing berth left

Register at tours@newscientist.com for 2024 (Potential dates 8, 15 and 22 September)

A whisky lover’s dream cruise, taking you deep into the science of how whisky is made and how different processes and stimuli affect its flavours, while touring renowned distilleries on the islands of Islay and Jura. 

You will, of course, be sampling whisky, but in a science-led way that gives you an extensive understanding of how its compounds engage your senses, as well as allowing you to get the utmost enjoyment from your dram. You will explore whisky’s complexity and variety via a programme of sensory experiences delivered by an accompanying expert.

Our two cruises will be accompanied by Professor Barry Smith (24 September), a founding director of University of London’s Centre for the Study of the Senses, who has also written and broadcast extensively on whisky or Billy Abbott (10 September), whisky ambassador, judge and trainer who is the author of the Philosophy of Whisky.

You will visit distilleries such as Bruichladdich, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Ardnahoe, Bunnahabhain and Jura, while enjoying exclusive tours, talks and tastings from the industry experts including distillery managers and master distillers. Here you will experience both the traditions of distilling and learn about the new practices being introduced. Many of the drams you taste will be direct from the cask or from exclusive bottlings – the really good stuff. In addition, you will enjoy tasting other favourites from our sensory experts.

Alongside this deep immersion into the world of whisky, you will be sailing between areas of outstanding natural beauty and visiting idyllic harbour towns. You should also get chances to spot marine life including whales, sharks and dolphins. 

The cruise is aboard a comfortable and characterful 1903 tall ship with a professional sailing crew. Sit back or get as involved with crew life as you like. You can even learn to navigate, trim and set the sails, and helm the ship if you want. 

You’re on island time, relax, let the winds take you as you are slowly seduced by the whisky and the sailing.

In partnership with Kraken Travel.

DAY 1: JOIN YOUR SHIP AND MEET YOUR EXPERT

You will begin your voyage by joining the ship in the charming coastal town of Oban.

After getting to know your fellow enthusiasts and crew, you will enjoy an introduction for the cruise ahead including a full briefing from the tour leader then presentations from the ship’s captain and the accompanying whisky expert. Throughout the cruise the captain will share with you the science of sailing, navigation using local charts and will seek out opportunities to enjoy viewing the abundant marine life.

On four of the evenings, the accompanying whisky expert will sensory experiences. Here you will discover the complexity and variety of whisky, identify your personal flavour wave and explore how different production processes can significantly affect the flavours found within a simple dram. From blind tastings to experimenting with different stimuli, you will gain the insight and tools to really understand and become an advocate for whisky.

This will be followed by a dinner provided by the ship’s crew. This trip is full-board except for one evening (for the crew to have a night off). It will be hearty food using locally sourced produce including seafood and meat. A good base for whisky tasting.

DAY 2: SAIL TO TOBERMORY AND VISIT THE WHISKY DEN

The remainder of this itinerary is based on ideal weather and sailing conditions. If prevailing conditions force us to change the route whilst at sea this may impact which distilleries we visit on which days. Nevertheless, we will ensure you visit a range of distilleries and meet the industry experts, so that you experience the breadth and depth the science of whisky.

Today, you will sail to the picturesque town of Tobermory on the island of Mull, a former 18th century fishing port, now more famous for its appearances on TV. On the way, you will sail right past the impressive Duart Castle, then stop in a lovely anchorage nearby for lunch, where you can enjoy the untouched, wild nature of the Scottish west coast. Whilst ashore you will enjoy a tasting at the Tobermory Whisky Den, exploring some of the more unique drams of the region.

DAY 3: EXPLORE STAFFA AND IONA

The uninhabited island of Staffa is famous for its hexagonal basalt columns and Fingal’s Cave, an awe-inspiring 80-metre-long cathedral-like sea cave, exposed to the constant waves of the Atlantic. This place inspired Mendelssohn to write the “Hebrides Overture”. A visit to Staffa isn't always possible due to the sea conditions, but it is an unforgettable experience to approach this remote piece of rock in a zodiac boat.

Further south, before the south-west tip of Mull, you will explore the small island of Iona. For about 400 years it has been an important monastic centre and is known for its calmness and natural beauty. 

DAY 4: ARRIVE AT ISLAY AND VISIT BUNNAHABHAIN AND ARDNAHOE DISTILLERIES

Over the next three days, you will be exploring the coast, towns and distilleries of whisky island par excellence, Islay. 

As you are on a smaller boat, you can dock or anchor directly alongside most distilleries, making the visits particularly easy-going. Today you will be moored next to the Bunnahabhain distillery.

Late morning you take will enjoy a short coastal walk with spectacular views towards Islay’s newest distillery. In 2018, the stills at Ardnahoe began running with spirit for the first time. Here you will be split into small groups for a detailed distillery tour of this technically modern site, followed by a tasting session. 

After returning back along the coast, you will then visit the Bunnahabhain distillery, a classic Islay peaty whisky combined with experimentation with different casks.

If you are not quite in the mood for a full tasting, distilleries can provide a Drivers Dram in a hand labelled vial which you can enjoy later.

DAY 5: BRUICHLADDICH AND KILCHOMAN DISTILLERIES. THEN IN THE EVENING MEET GEORGIE CRAWFORD

You will start the day with a short minibus ride to Kilchoman on the west of Islay. A traditional farm distillery established in 2005 where you can observe the end-to-end process of barley to bottle. It is the first new distillery to be built on Islay in 124 years and the only independent distillery on the island. During the tastings on our 2022 cruise, Kilchoman was the firm favourite with many of the guests.

Afterwards, you will take a short drive to the Bruichladdich distillery for a tasting session. They produce three distinct single malts: Bruichladdich which is unpeated, Port Charlotte which is heavily peated and Octomore which is classed as super heavily peated. 

Whilst enjoying the distilleries, the ship will sail down to Port Ellen, where you will be taken late afternoon.

In the evening, you will be joined onboard by Georgie Crawford. Having previously managed Lagavulin and led the reconstruction of Port Ellen distillery, Georgie is now the distillery manager for Portintruan, who are building a brand-new distillery and maltings on the island. Combining old-style production techniques with modern technology to improve process and quality, as well as sustainability. She will be able to give a fascinating insight into the whisky history of Islay and what it takes to build a distillery from scratch.

DAY 6: LAGAVULIN DISTILLERY THEN OVERNIGHT OFF JURA

While moored at Port Ellen, you will have time to explore the town before enjoying both a tour and tasting at Lagavulin, with its unusual pear-shaped stills. Here, you will see distillers at work during the tour and then enjoy a tutored tasting.

Late afternoon, you will then set sail for the adjacent island of Jura.

DAY 7: JURA DISTILLERY

While sailing back northwards, you will stop off at the remote Jura distillery for a tour and tasting direct from three different casks. 

The island of Jura is a paradise of untouched wilderness and natural beauty. The name Jura means “Deer Island”, and it is still an appropriate name, because 5500 deer live there and only 180 people. 

DAY 8: DISEMBARK FROM OBAN

Today, you will set sail and enjoy the way back to Oban while you take in more wild nature, rugged coastlines and quiet fishing villages. Then bid farewell to your fellow explorers as you disembark at Oban.

Please note: As with all tours under sail aboard small ships, we can be at the mercy of prevailing conditions, particularly the weather. Should the conditions dictate, we can’t stick to planned itinerary, we are experienced at rebuilding the itinerary on-the-fly. This might mean different distilleries from those planned, but they will still be as relevant and insightful. Coming aboard with a flexible outlook will help you get the most out of the cruise. The accompanying tour leader will keep you updated on a daily basis.

We aim to travel under canvas as much as possible, so we will often go where the best winds are, so as to share the best of sailing the Hebrides with you.