Islay Whisky Academy Diploma 2018
22 - 26 October
Monday
ICCI – Gaelic College – 10 minutes outside Bowmore on the Bridgend side.
9.30 Welcome to Islay Whisky Academy @ Theatre of Drams 2018. Registration.
10. PEAT LECTURES from James Donaldson Botanist & Gin Forager at Bruichladdich Distillery
11 – 11.30 Coffee Break – Tea/coffee & cake supplied every morning of the week.
13 – 14 Lunch
14.00 Depart Gaelic College for Kilchoman Distillery Visit.
17.00 Return to Bowmore
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19.00 Meet Mr Jim McEwan of Bowmore/Bruichladdich & now, Ardnahoe Distillery fame.
Question & Answer session with drams at Port Charlotte Hotel.
Tuesday
9.30 – Introduction to Barley
10.00 Depart Gaelic College for Cruach Farm
10.30 Talk from Mr. H. Jackson Barley Farmer.
11.15 Return to Gaelic College. Coffee. Collect pack lunch.
11.45 Depart for Museum of Islay Life.
12.15 Museum of Islay Life.
13.00 Visit Mr James Brown at Octomore Farm – of Octomore Whisky. See the water source. Talk about growing barley for Octomore Whisky.
14.30 Bruichladdich Distillery Visit
17.00 Return to Bowmore
Free Evening
Wednesday
9.30 – 13.00 with 30 mins coffee break.
Talk from Lussa Gin Distillers.
Talk/Lecture from Chris Anderson – Consultant on the building of Raasay and Torabhaig (Skye)& The Lakes Distilleries. Also, former manager of Caol Ila.
13 – 14 Lunch
14.00 Depart for Ardnahoe Distillery visit – first to stop at Bridgend Square to their shop/temporary VC
17.00 Return to Bowmore Square
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SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY DINNER hosted by Global Brand Ambassador Mr John McCheyne.
19.30 @ The award-winning Whisky Bar & Hotel Ballygrant Inn.
Beautiful specially created Three-Course Whisky Dinner with coffee, paired with 5 X Scotch Malt Whisky Society whiskies.
Thursday
9.30 – 12.00 with 30 min coffee break. COOPERING Lecture & Demonstration from Kristofer Watson – Scotch Cooper
12.00 – 13.30 PEAT CUTTING WORKSHOP.
14.30 – Bunnahabhain Distillery.
17.00 Return home.
Free Evening.
Friday
9.30 – 12.00 30 mins break for coffee.
PSYCHOLOGY OF NOSING & TASTING with Rachel MacNeill.
12 – 13 Multiple Choice Exam
13 – 14 Lunch
14.00 Depart for Ardbeg Distillery.
17.00 Return to Bowmore
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19.30 PRESENTATION WHISKY DINNER in Bowmore Hotel.
Four-Course Dinner including whisky to match each course.
Presentation of Islay Whisky Academy Certificates
Saturday
Depart accommodation by 10 am